DHAKA: Egypt has criticised a decision by the US to suspend a large part of the $1.3bn in aid it receives.

Egypt foreign ministry spokesman Badr Abdelatty said the decision was wrong and Egypt would ‘not surrender to American pressure and is continuing on its path towards democracy’, reports the BBC.

The US announced on Wednesday it was suspending the delivery of large-scale military systems and withholding cash assistance to the Egyptian government.

It follows months of political turmoil.

Since the Egyptian army ousted Mohammed Mursi as president in July, the authorities have clashed repeatedly with his Muslim Brotherhood supporters.

The US state department launched a review of its aid to Egypt in August after a crackdown that left hundreds of people dead.

On Wednesday, it said it would halt the delivery of Apache helicopters, as well as Harpoon missiles and tank parts.

Washington would also halt a $260m cash transfer and a $300m loan guarantee, officials said.

The freeze was not intended to be permanent, the state department added.

BDST: 1504 HRS, OCT 10, 2013
RoR/BSK