Egypt's foreign minister's remarks to NPR spark criticism

Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs Nabil Fahmy’s statements to NPR regarding relations with the US have sparked widespread mockery and criticism among Egyptians, including those supporting the coup.

In an interview with NPR’s All Things Considered, Fahmy described Egypt-US relations after the July 3 coup, saying: “It’s like a marriage. It’s not a fling.”

Egyptian analysts and social media commentators poked fun at the statements, dismissing them as highly unusual from a diplomat.

The statements were interpreted as a counter evidence to claims that the Muslim Brotherhood was “an agent of the US” as military-controlled media in Egypt claim.

It has also been viewed as a sign of the strength of US support to the post-coup regime in Egypt.

The foreign ministry issued a statement to clarify Fahmy’s remarks, claiming he was misquoted.