Majority in U.S. view Egypt unfavorably

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PRINCETON, N.J., March 16 (UPI) -- A majority of Americans -- 53 percent -- have an unfavorable opinion of Egypt, up from 47 percent in 2012, a Gallup poll found.

The poll, conducted Feb. 7-10, found about 40 percent of Americans have a favorable view of Egypt, down from 47 percent in 2012, Gallup reported.

Americans' view of Egypt was more unfavorable than favorable for the first time in 2011, Gallup said, when the country became embroiled in anti-government protests that resulted in the ouster of former President Hosni Mubarak.

In 2010, 58 percent of Americans said they had a favorable opinion of Egypt, while 29 percent said they had an unfavorable view of the country.

Gallup asked 1,015 adults over age 18 "What is your overall opinion of [Egypt]?" Respondents were allowed to answer "very favorable, mostly favorable, mostly unfavorable, very unfavorable."

The poll had a margin of error of 4 percentage points.