WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman Howard L. Berman, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee made the following statement regarding the imminent return of American NGO workers held in Egypt. The statement follows:

“This was a troubling situation and though today’s developments are positive, this chapter is not closed. Egypt must formally drop charges against both American and Egyptian NGO employees, return confiscated materials, and allow NGOs to resume their operations. I hope to continue to work with Cairo to build an Egypt with a strong civil society and well-functioning democratic institutions.”

###