U.S. delivers eight F-16 jets to Egypt

CAIRO, July 30 (UPI) -- Eight F-16 fighter planes will be delivered this week to Egypt, the U.S. embassy in Cairo announced, with four more to arrive in the autumn.

The move is part of a military aid package whose finances were unfrozen earlier in March, when President Barack Obama lifted a $1.3 billion hold on arms deliveries. Although the United States has been critical of the slowness of Egyptian democratic reforms, Egypt has remained a close security ally in the Middle East.

The Lockheed Martin F-16s will be flown directly from the United States to Egypt this week and will immediately become part of the Egyptian air force, a statement Thursday by U.S. Ambassador Robert Beecroft said. The embassy's senior defense official, Maj. Gen. Charles Hooper said the planes "provide a valuable capability that is needed during these times of regional instability. America's commitment to a strong relationship with Egypt is demonstrated by continued cooperation and capability sharing between our two countries. Extremists threaten regional security and these weapon systems provide a new tool to help Egypt fight terrorism."

The delivery comes as Egyptian and U.S. representatives, including U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, prepare to meet Aug. 2 in Egypt for a day of strategic dialogue, a meeting which has been postponed a number of times.

Last month Egypt received two "fast missile craft" naval vessels from Washington.