Poll: Egyptians favor aid from Iran, not US

(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - New poll results reveal that an overwhelming majority of Egyptians prefer economic aid coming from Iran to the mostly military funds provided by the US.According to figures released this weekend by the US-based Gallup polling organization, 82 percent of the Egyptian respondents opposed US funds.The figure, standing 71 percent in December and 52 percent in April 2011, shows a pattern of steep rise in anti-US sentiments.Over 75 percent of US economic assistance to Egypt is reportedly earmarked for military purposes and Cairo’s ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces has given no indication that it intends to cut its portion of Washington’s package.The Gallup poll released last month found that 56 percent of Egyptians view closer relations with the US bad for their country, up from the 40 percent in December last year.This is while just over a quarter say closer relations with Washington are a positive thing, compared with 41 percent who favor closer ties with Iran.The latest results indicate only 19 percent of Egyptians approve of the US government policy, while 65 percent disapprove and the rest are undecided.The recent poll also revealed that less than half of Egyptians view the peace treaty with Israel as a good thing, while 42 percent said it was bad and the rest were undecided. /129