Hillary Clinton has overruled Congress and is giving $1.3 to $1.5 Billion in aid to the new Islamist government of Egypt, ignoring legislation forbidding it passed in December.
Syria has renewed its artillery bombardment on the civilians of Homs.
Soccer riots have caused 1 death and 68 injuries in Egypt, as Islamists choose their authors of the new Islamist Constitution in that country.
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U.S. State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said in a statement that Clinton decided to waive legislative requirements on Egypt's democratic transition based on U.S. national security interests. The statement says the decision reflects the “significant progress” Egypt has made in the last year and U.S. support for Egypt as a key player in regional stability.
In December, Congress passed a law requiring that Egypt's military rulers support the transition to a civilian government, hold free and fair elections, and protect freedom of religion and association before military aid could be released.
A U.S. official, who choose to remain unidentified, said earlier an additional $200 million in economic aid would be freed up because Egypt is meeting its obligation to the Israeli-Egypt peace treaty.
Many U.S. lawmakers and rights groups are expressing disappointment with the decision, saying Egypt's transitional military leaders have not demonstrated they are committed to making full democratic reforms.
Some lawmakers in Washington threatened to withhold military aid to Cairo following a December crackdown on several pro-democracy groups, including three U.S.-supported non-governmental organizations, as part of an investigation into illegal foreign funding.
Nuland also said Friday the U.S. remains “deeply concerned” and is urging an end to harassment of NGOs and activists, who she says play a key role in democracy building.
One of those organizations, the Washington-based Freedom House, said releasing military aid despite human rights concerns undermines U.S. efforts to support democracy in Egypt. In a statement Thursday, the group said Egypt's military rulers have “repeatedly failed to uphold the fundamental rights of Egyptian citizens.”
Many activists are also concerned about Egypt's continued trying of civilians in military courts and failure to fully repeal the country's harsh Mubarak-era emergency law.
Since last year's uprising that ousted longtime leader Hosni Mubarak, Egypt has made a series of reforms, including holding parliamentary elections and transferring legislative power to its people's assembly.
Activists say Syrian forces resumed heavy shelling of the already battered city of Homs on Saturday, as international envoy Kofi Annan arrived in Russia to discuss efforts to mediate an end to the crisis in Syria.
The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says at least three people were killed in the Khaldiyeh district of Homs and nearby town of Qusair following shelling that began early Saturday. Homs has seen some of the heaviest fighting in Syria's year-long uprising.
Clashes were also reported in Idlib province bordering Turkey, where the rights group says at least one person was killed.
Saturday's violence comes as joint U.N.-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan arrived in Moscow in an effort to convince Russia to support international calls for a cease-fire and open political dialogue in Syria. Russia and China have repeatedly blocked Security Council action against Syria since the deadly crackdowns on protests erupted. However, the two nations did support a Security Council resolution in recent days endorsing Mr. Annan's six-point plan for peace.
Mr. Annan will meet with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Sunday, and will then travel to Beijing on Tuesday and Wednesday to meet with Chinese officials for similar discussions.
On Friday, the European Union imposed a travel ban and asset freeze on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's British-born wife and several other members of his family and administration.
The sanctions on Mrs. Assad came after leaked emails showed she allegedly went on lavish shopping sprees while Syria descended into violence. British officials say the EU travel ban can not stop the Syrian first lady from traveling to Britain if she has retained her citizenship.
Meanwhile, the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva sharply condemned Syria's “escalating violence”, calling for an extension of a probe into the Syrian government's alleged abuses in the year of unrest. The 47-member body voted 41 to three in favor of an EU-sponsored resolution backed by the United States and Arab countries. China, Russia and Cuba voted against the measure.
In Washington, the Obama administration said it will allow Syrians in the country to remain, even after their visas have expired, and not deport those who are in the U.S. illegally.
The United Nations says at least 8,000 people have been killed in the Assad government's violent crackdown on the revolt, which began with peaceful protests and became increasingly militarized as army defectors attacked pro-Assad troops who assaulted civilians.
Fresh clashes between Egyptian soldiers and thousands of angry football fans in the northern city of Port Said, on the Mediterranean coast, have left one teenager dead and 68 others wounded.
Large-scale protests began late Friday after the Egyptian Football Association said the Al-Masry club would be banned for two seasons and Port Said Stadium closed for three years in response to the deadly riot at last month's game against rival Al-Ahly in which 74 people died. Protesters also denounced what they said was a media smear campaign against their club.
Violence continued into Saturday, with security officials firing shots into the air to disperse the angry crowd blocking roads, which caused widespread traffic jams.
The teenager was reportedly shot in the back, though further details about the incident were not immediately available.
The violence originally erupted on February 1 on the Al-Masry playing field moments after the final whistle in a league match between Egypt's most popular club, Al-Ahly, from Cairo and Al-Masry.
Witnesses said security officials stood by as supporters of the winning home team, Al-Masry, attacked fans of the opposing team, stabbing them and throwing them off bleachers. Panicked fans rushed for the exits and some were crushed against locked gates.
Three club officials and nine senior police officers are among 75 people facing trial over the violence on February 1, in the deadliest worldwide football incident since 1996. VoA
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