EU Limits Permission to Export Weapons to Egypt

The European Union Wednesday decided to suspend export licenses to Egypt for equipment that could be used for “internal repression” in the wake of the massive violence and increasing instability in the country.

European Union Foreign Ministers also agreed to review security assistance to the military regime that has ruled Egypt since the ouster of Muslim Brotherhood president Mohammed Morsi last month.

European Union countries give Egypt more than $7 billion a year in financial aid, which so far has not been cut or suspended.

The ministers condemned the violent suppression, which they said is “’disproportionate” and which has “resulted in an unacceptable large number of deaths and injuries.''

The EU censured ''acts of terrorism such as the murder of Egyptian policemen in the Sinai, the destruction of many churches and the targeting of the Coptic community, attacks on government installations and museums.''