U.S.-Egypt ties, which had improved under President Donald Trump, appeared strained Wednesday after the United States withheld some aid to Egypt over human rights concerns.

The U.S. cut nearly $100 million in economic and military aid, and delayed nearly $200 million more in military financing to Egypt, one of the largest recipients of U.S. foreign aid.

U.S. officials, speaking on background, cited Egypt's failure to make human rights improvements or relax harsh restrictions on civic and other non-governmental organizations.

Cairo's foreign ministry slammed the decision, calling it "a misjudgment of the nature of the strategic relations that binds the two countries over decades."

Egypt was also reported to have canceled a meeting between visiting White House advisor Jared Kushner and Egypt's foreign minister Sameh Shoukry. But Egypt's foreign ministry later released a video via Twitter of Kushner and his team meeting with Shoukry, with both delegations smiling for the cameras and laughing.

Kushner, Trump's son-in-law, is in Cairo as part of an effort to revive Mideast peace talks. He also met Wednesday with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi. A statement from Sissi's office did not mention the aid cuts. It highlighted Egypt's desire to work on strengthening relations between the two countries.

Trump has embraced Sissi as a key partner in the global war against Islamist extremism, downplaying concerns over his human rights record. During an April meeting at the White House, Trump was effusive in his praise for Sissi.

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