Obama says US military aid to Egypt depends on its progress in pursuing democracy

President Barack Obama says the United States hopes to maintain a constructive relationship with the interim government in Egypt but it is avoiding choosing sides since the ouster of Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi in July.

Obama tells the United Nations General Assembly in New York that the U.S. will continue to offer to support to Egypt in areas such as education, which benefits the Egyptian people. But he says the U.S. has held up the delivery of certain military aid. And he says that future support, in his words, “will depend upon Egypt’s progress in pursuing a democratic path.”

The U.S. provides Egypt with about $1.5 billion a year, mostly military aid. The president’s top national security aides have recommended suspending much of the money.