The United States has threatened to withhold annual aid to the Egyptian military after Egypt barred at least six Americans from leaving the country. Among those held back is the son of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, Sam LaHood, who directs the Egyptian program of the International Republican Institute. The group’s Cairo office was raided late last month by Egyptian authorities, along with the offices of two other U.S.-backed organizations. In Washington, State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland called on Egypt to allow the Americans’ departure without delay.

State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland: “We have several U.S. citizens working at various international non-governmental organizations in Egypt that have been questioned by judges in Egypt, and they are currently not being allowed to depart Egypt in connection with the government’s investigation of NGOs. We are urging the government of Egypt to lift these restrictions immediately and allow folks to come home as soon as possible. And we are hopeful that this issue will be resolved in nearest days.”