US in 2bn arms deal with Egypt amid rights concerns

The US State Department has approved the sale of 12 military transport planes to Egypt, in a deal worth more than $2bn (£1.4bn).

Air defence radar systems and other related equipment are also being sold for another $300m.

The arms sales come despite recent criticism from the US President Joe Biden's administration of Egypt's human rights record.

In September, Washington placed on hold $130m in military aid already budgeted for Egypt.

Officials cited Cairo's failure to improve the rights situation.