The Biden administration on Tuesday told Egypt that human rights will be "central" to its policy in dealing with the key Arab state and major American partner in the Middle East.
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The announcement came just a week after the administration approved a nearly $200 million missile sale to Egypt despite concerns about Cairo's jailing of dissidents, including American citizens and their families. It was not immediately clear how the new emphasis on human rights would manifest itself.
In addition to rights issues, Secretary of State Antony Blinken told Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry that the US is looking closely at Egyptian plans to buy advanced fighter jets from Russia.
Egypt, along with Israel and Jordan, is one of the largest Mideast recipients of American economic and military aid, but in recent years US lawmakers have sought to condition that assistance on human rights improvements and reforms.
