Egypt Allows Arrested Americans to Travel Again

Case involving transportation chief Lahood's son is apparently dropped
By John Johnson,  Newser Staff
Posted Feb 29, 2012 1:34 PM CST
Egypt Allows Arrested Americans to Travel Again
In this 2009 file photo, Sam Lahood watches as his father Ray is sworn in as transportation secretary.   (AP Photo/Transportation Department, File)

It looks like a thorny problem between the US and Egypt—one involving the son of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood—is going away. Egyptian officials today lifted a travel ban on seven Americans, including Sam LaHood, who are facing trial in the country, reports the AP. They are among 43 employees of pro-democracy groups from various nations who were arrested and accused by Egypt's military leaders of trying to stir up unrest.

"We believe we will resolve this issue concerning our NGOs in the very near future," Hillary Clinton told lawmakers before today's announcement in Egypt, notes Reuters. It's not clear whether the charges will be dropped or even whether LaHood and the other Americans will immediately leave the country, but all signs point to Egypt bowing to US pressure to wash its hands of the case. It didn't hurt that the US threatened to cut off $1.3 billion in military aid. (More Egypt stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X