Britain demands Egypt repay millions lent for arms deals

(The Independent, London, 30 October 2011) Britain is pursuing Egypt for debts of up to £100m that funded the purchase of arms under the regime of General Hosni Mubarak. Critics say the move contravenes the Government's pledge to audit all outstanding global debt, while writing off any past lending "recklessly given to dictators" or not used for the specific purpose of development. The money lent to Egypt is part of a larger portfolio of more than £150m of Treasury lending that critics say has funded some of the world's most illiberal regimes in countries such as Iraq and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Campaigners yesterday demanded an investigation.