Egyptians cancel meetings with US lawmakers (AP)

WASHINGTON ? Egyptian officials have abruptly canceled meetings scheduled with U.S. lawmakers amid growing tensions between the two countries.

A delegation had been scheduled to meet with Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin on Monday and the panel's top Republican, John McCain, on Tuesday.

However, the congressional offices were notified late Monday that the sessions were canceled.

The United States is threatening to cut off more than $1.3 billion in annual aid because of a crackdown on Egyptian and foreign nonprofit groups promoting democracy and human rights. The ruling military accuses the groups of using foreign funding to stir unrest.

The crisis escalated on Sunday when authorities referred 43 employees of nonprofit groups, including 19 Americans, to trial. Among them is the son of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/africa/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20120207/ap_on_re_us/us_us_egypt

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