US suspends $3.5m in military aid to Thailand following coup

The United States has suspended about 3.5 million U.S. dollars in military assistance to Thailand following a coup, the State Department said on Friday. The United States is reviewing the rest of the annual direct assistance to Thailand -- which totaled 10.5 million in fiscal year 2013 -- as well as other aid through global and regional programs, State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf told a regular briefing. "We are reviewing all programs to determine other assistance which we may suspend," Harf said. "We urge the immediate restoration of civilian rule, a return to democracy, and obviously, respect for human rights during this period of uncertainty," she added. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said on Thursday he was " disappointed" by the decision of the Thai military to suspend the constitution and take control of the government after a long period of political turmoil. There was "no justification" for the military coup, Kerry said, calling for the release of senior political leaders of major parties in Thailand, a treaty ally with the United States.