NGOs are 'there to support democracy'

The United States has expressed deep concern after the offices of a number of pro-democracy and human rights groups were raided by Egyptian security forces.

Among them were two US-based organisations. The US has called on the authorities to return confiscated property and stop harassing staff.

Victoria Nuland of the State Department said NGOs (non-governmental organisations) were there to support democracy.

According to Egyptian police the raids were part of an investigation into illicit foreign funding.