Egypt Muslim Leader Warns US Not to Cut Its Aid; Says Doing So Can Affect Peace Treaty with Israel

The Cybercast News Service website reports today (February 14, 2012) that a top Muslim Brotherhood (MB) official has warned the United States that any cuts in U.S. aid to Egypt could affect Cairo's peace treaty with Israel.

MB lawmaker Essam el-Erian said if the U.S. cuts aid to Egypt, the MB would consider changing the terms of the peace treaty.

U.S. legislation -- signed into law last December -- ties the provision of $1.3 billion in military aid to Egypt in fiscal year 2012 to certification that the government in Cairo "is supporting the transition to civilian government, including holding free and fair elections; implementing policies to protect freedom of expression, association, and religion, and due process of law."

The U.S. has been urging Egypt to initiate a genuine democracy, but the military government -- which has ruled Egypt since the resignation of President Hosni Mubarak last February -- has become more autocratic than Mubarak had been during his 30-year dictatorial reign of Egypt.