Special to WorldTribune.com

WASHINGTON — The United States has reversed its position and will end the suspension of attack helicopter deliveries to Egypt.

The administration of President Barack Obama said Egypt would receive 10 AH-64D attack helicopters from U.S. prime contractor Boeing.

Officials said the administration determined that the Apaches, expected to arrive by May, would be used for counter-insurgency operations in the turbulent Sinai Peninsula.

“Egypt remains, as it has been for decades, an important strategic partner for the United States,” the State Department said on April 22.

The decision marked a dent in the partial U.S. embargo on Egypt. In August, the administration suspended the delivery to Egypt of such major combat platforms as the F-16 multi-role fighter, M1A1 main battle tank, Apache helicopter and Harpoon anti-ship missile.

“I have continued to advocate for Egyptians to have the tools necessary to stabilize the economy and keep the country secure, including equipment that assists with counter-terrorism operations in the Sinai,” Rep. Kay Granger, chair of the House Appropriations subcommittee on foreign aid,
said.

Senior U.S. officials informed their Egyptian counterparts on April 22.
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel telephoned his Egyptian counterpart, Sidqi
Sobhi, and Secretary of State John Kerry spoke to Foreign Minister Nabil
Fahmy.

“Secretary Hagel also informed Minister Sobhi of President Obama’s
decision to deliver 10 Apache helicopters in support of Egypt’s
counter-terrorism operations in the Sinai,” Pentagon spokesman John Kirby
said. “The secretary noted that we believe these new helicopters will help
the Egyptian government counter extremists who threaten U.S., Egyptian, and
Israeli security.”

The U.S. embargo was imposed in wake of the military overthrow of
Egypt’s first Islamist president in July 2013. Officials said Kerry would
certify to Congress that Egypt continued its strategic relationship with the
United States as well as Cairo’s treaty with Israel.

“Secretary Hagel told General Sobhi that we are not yet able to certify
that Egypt is taking steps to support a democratic transition, and he urged
the Egyptian government to demonstrate progress on a more inclusive
transition that respects the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all
Egyptians,” Kirby said.

  AH-64D Apache, allows Egypt to buy Apache helicopters to counter Al Qaida, Chuck Hagel, F-16s, Harpoon missiles, John Kerry, M1A1, Obama lifts ban