CAIRO — Egypt's Foreign Ministry says that Cairo has ended a contract with three Washington lobbying firms to cut expenses, denying reports that the firms themselves actually terminated the contract.
The rupture occurred as Cairo comes under pressure for banning at least 10 Americans and Europeans from leaving the country as part of an investigation into foreign-funded democracy organizations.
The ministry's statement was issued Sunday, two days after Politico reported that former Republican Rep. Bob Livingston, former Democratic Rep. Toby Moffett, and longtime lobbyist Tony Podesta ended their contract with the Egyptian government.
The lobbying firms could not be reached immediately for comment.
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