80% of Egyptians oppose US Economic Aid

Egyptians are increasingly opposed to the provision of economic aid to their country by the US government, according to the results of a recent poll.

More than 80 percent of Egyptians in February said they were opposed to US economic aid to Cairo, showing an 11 percent rise in opposition since December and a 30 percent increase since April 2011, a recent survey conducted by the Gallup polling organization has found. 

Similarly, 85 percent of Egyptians questioned said that they opposed funds given by the US to Egyptian civil society groups, which represented a rise of more than 10 percent since late 2011. 

Meanwhile, another survey carried out by Gallup earlier in March demonstrated that currently 56 percent of Egyptians see closer ties with Washington as “a bad thing” for their country, which is 16 percent up compared to December 2011. 

Relations between Egypt and the US soured in February after Egyptian judicial officials decided to try 19 Americans and 24 other employees of various non-governmental organizations (NGOs) on charges of illegally using foreign funds to set up groups without official permission and fueling unrest in the country. 

Following US threats to suspend military and economic assistance to Egypt, many Egyptian politicians and parliamentarians called for a quick halt to the financial aid, which amounts to USD two billion annually, according to Press TV.

The dispute began in December when Egyptian security forces stormed the offices of several NGOs, seizing documents and computers.