US Sen. McCain says relations with Egypt changing

U.S. Sen. John McCain says the nature of America's partnership with Egypt is changing a year after the ouster of Hosni Mubarak but stressed that the two countries "must remain friends."

McCain's comments Monday to a Cairo business conference reflected the growing strain in the relations between the two allies. Egypt referred 16 Americans and 27 others to a criminal trial in a politically charged case against foreign-funded pro-democracy groups. Washington has threatened to cut $1.5 billion in aid over the spat.

McCain chairs the International Republican Institute -- one of four
U.S.-based groups under investigation -- and is also the top Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee.

He spoke just before meetings with Egypt's military leaders who took over after Mubarak.