US 'set to deliver' F-16s to Egypt

THE US is pressing ahead with plans to deliver four F-16 fighters to Egypt despite a military coup against President Mohammed Morsi, a US official says. 

It's still the status quo," the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said on Thursday.
There was no decision to halt the scheduled transfer of the warplanes or to cut off other security assistance to Egypt, the official said, even though the US government has announced a review of all aid to Cairo.
President Barack Obama's administration says it is examining whether the military takeover constitutes a coup, which under US law would force Washington to freeze any aid to Egypt.
The Pentagon says it remains dedicated to maintaining longstanding military ties with Egypt and that the US wants to see a prompt return to civilian, democratic rule.
"Looking forward, we will work with the Egyptian people to support a quick and responsible return to a sustainable, democratically elected civilian government," the Pentagon said in a statement.
"Given the events of last week, the president has directed relevant departments and agencies to review our assistance to the government of Egypt."
The F-16s are part of an arms deal with Egypt approved in 2010 that calls for the supply of 20 of the fighter jets.
Eight of the warplanes were delivered earlier this year and four more are scheduled to be delivered in August, with another eight due later in the year, officials said.
Egypt has received more than 220 F-16 fighters since 1980 and has the world's fourth largest F-16 fleet, behind the United States, Israel and Turkey.
With Egypt gripped by intense political turmoil, the Obama administration has relied on the US military's deep ties with the Egyptian armed forces as its main channel for diplomacy.