[JURIST] Egypt [JURIST news archive] Wednesday called US criticism of its alleged rights violations "unacceptable," labeling a Monday White House statement [text; JURIST report] about the closure of the Association for Human Rights Legal Aid [advocacy website] as "interference" in Egypt's domestic matters. The Egyptian Foreign Ministry said that the statement by the White House reflected its lack of understanding about Egyptian legal affairs.

Egypt has been criticized lately for apparently clamping down on government critics. Last week, the Egyptian government banned an annual gathering [JURIST report] of the Muslim Brotherhood [party website; FAS website] amid increasing tension between the government and critics. Earlier this month, a court sentenced the editors of four tabloids [JURIST report] for publishing criticisms of Mubarak and the ruling National Democratic Party [party website]. Reuters has more.