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US to boost Egyptian air defenses despite congressional anger

The Trump administration plans to provide Egypt with excess military equipment even as members of Congress seek sanctions against the country over the death of a US citizen.
Egyptian air force planes parade during the inauguration ceremony of the new Suez Canal, in Ismailia, Egypt, August 6, 2015. Egypt staged a show of international support on Thursday as it inaugurated a major extension of the Suez Canal which President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi hopes will power an economic turnaround in the Arab world's most populous country. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh - GF20000015690

The Donald Trump administration has OK’d a deal to supply Egypt with excess air defense units, even as several senators press the White House to sanction Cairo over the recent death of a US citizen.

As part of a recent deal, the United States will send the Egyptian military parts to maintain Chaparral fire units along the nation’s border through a Pentagon program that supplies American partners with excess weapons.

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