US aid to Egypt linked to stability, reforms

US observers believe that Secretary of State John Kerry was planning more aid to Egypt but was blocked by the Congress which insists that assistance to Egypt would be linked by tangible reforms and political stability. Egyptians, observers say, need to exert more efforts to overcome differences, reach consensus, end violence, and start production so that they can attain additional assistance from the US. The US has already announced that it will support the 4.8-billion-dollar Egypt seeks to get from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Kerry, in statements after his visit to Egypt, said "The United States can and wants to do more. Reaching an agreement with the IMF will require further effort on the part of the Egyptian government and broad support for reform by all Egyptians. When Egypt takes the difficult steps to strengthen its economy and build political unity and justice, we will work with our Congress at home on additional support." Egypt has been experiencing a state of unrest since the revolution that ousted longtime president Hosni Mubarak.