Secretary of State Hillary Clinton notified the Congress of her decision to waive democracy requirements on $1.3 billion in U.S. military aid to Egypt

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton notified the Congress of her decision to waive democracy requirements on $1.3 billion in U.S. military aid to Egypt.

The State Department says Clinton sent the notification to Capitol Hill on Friday, a day after she briefed lawmakers on the decision.

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.

A U.S. official, who preferred 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, VoA website said.

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.

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.