According to a recent Gallup poll surveying attitudes of Egyptians in December 2011, 71% oppose US economic aid to Egypt, and 74% oppose the US sending direct aid to civil society groups in Egypt, underscoring populist suspicion of Western intentions.
Egyptians are far more receptive to aid from Arab governments, with 68% of respondents in favor.
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The US is slated to provide $1.3 billion in military aid and $250 million in economic aid for the current fiscal year. But the fact that the aid is conditioned on Egypt’s compliance with its peace treaty with Israel is unpopular in Egypt, and may present a quandary for Egypt’s new leaders as they try to rectify Egypt’s financial predicament.
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