British authorities have frozen the funds of 19 Egyptians charged with embezzlement and corruption by Egyptian authorities, British Minister for the Middle East and North Africa Alistair Burt has said. In statements cited by MENA on Friday, the minister added that an estimated 40 British Pounds have been frozen in conformance with an EU decision in this regard. He added that his country will take steps to return those funds as soon as final rulings are issued to indict the concerned figures. However, Burt did not disclose the names of the officials whose funds have been frozen. He added that final rulings would enable Egyptian authorities to request the return of funds in question, in conformance with British law. The UK is a friend of Egypt and the biggest foreign investor in Egypt that is committed to long term partnership, he added. Britain is working to bolster relations in all areas, including economics, he said. Burt also said his country is determined to support the process of political transformation in Egypt, including the upcoming parliamentary elections. Britain has agreed to provide 600,000 British Pounds to Egypt to facilitate unbiased media coverage of the elections and help female candidates.
