Special to WorldTribune.com

CAIRO — Egypt has sought additional military aid from the United
States.

Officials said the Islamist regime of President Mohammed Morsi has
relayed a request for a significant increase in U.S. military assistance
over the next year.

They said Morsi and his military commanders have argued that the annual U.S. aid of $1.3 billion could no longer sustain Egypt’s armed forces.

The request came during the visit by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry
to Cairo on March 3. Egypt’s official Middle East News Agency said Defense Minister Abdul Fatah Sisi focused on measures to improve U.S. assistance to and cooperation with Egypt.

“They discussed means to support military cooperation between the two
countries in light of the depth of Egyptian-American relations,” MENA said.

Officials said Sisi urged Kerry to increase strategic cooperation with
Egypt. They said the defense minister denied reports of a rift with Morsi
amid rising nationwide unrest.

In 2013, the United States sent the first four of 20 F-16 Block 52
multi-role fighters to Egypt. The Defense Department has also been shipping
kits for the assembly of the M1A1 main battle tank for the Egyptian Army.

“The United States can and wants to do more,” Kerry, who released $250
million in economic aid for Egypt, said.

Al Sisi reassured Kerry that the Egyptian Army was not involved in the
bloody clashes with protesters. Hours later, Army units opened fire on
police in Suez City in which one officer was killed and six others injured.

  Abdul Fatah Sisi, F-16 Block 52 multi-role fighters, John Kerry, Mohammed Morsi, Morsi’s defense chief asks Kerry for increase in U.S. military aid, Morsi’s defense chief asks Kerry for increased military aid, Show us the money: Egypt says $1.3 billion in U.S. aid is not enough, Suez City