Egypt Allows Arrested Americans to Travel Again

It looks like a thorny problem between the US and Egypt—one involving the son of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood—is going away. Egyptian officials today lifted a travel ban on seven Americans, including Sam LaHood, who are facing trial in the country, reports the AP. They are among 43 employees of pro-democracy groups from various nations who were arrested and accused by Egypt's military leaders of trying to stir up unrest.

"We believe we will resolve this issue concerning our NGOs in the very near future," Hillary Clinton told lawmakers before today's announcement in Egypt, notes Reuters. It's not clear whether the charges will be dropped or even whether LaHood and the other Americans will immediately leave the country, but all signs point to Egypt bowing to US pressure to wash its hands of the case. It didn't hurt that the US threatened to cut off $1.3 billion in military aid. (More Egypt stories.)