U.S. Urges Egypt To Lift Travel Ban On NGO Staffers

U.S. State Department Spokesperson Victoria Nuland

The United States has urged Egypt to lift travel bans placed on several U.S. pro-democracy activists in connection with a crackdown on nongovernmental organizations.

Egypt banned Sam LaHood, who is the son of U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, and other U.S. citizens from leaving the country amid rising tensions over Egyptian restrictions on the work of international rights organizations.

"We are urging the government of Egypt to lift these restrictions immediately and allow folks to come home as soon as possible and we are hopeful that this issue will be resolved in nearest days," U.S. State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland told reporters in Washington.

Sam LaHood heads the International Republican Institute in Egypt -- one of 10 organizations raided last month by Egyptian security officials.

compiled from agency reports