The US State Department stated on Thursday, announcing that the administration of President Joe Biden notified Congress that it was preparing to complete a military deal with Egypt worth $691 million.

The statement added that the Egyptian government had asked the United States to purchase more than five thousand TOW missiles, support equipment, spare parts, tools to conduct tests, and technical and logistical support.

The State Department said this proposed sale would support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the safety of a major non-NATO ally that remains an essential strategic partner in the Middle East. The National will use missiles to combat terrorism and secure borders. Before passing any major military deal, the US administration must first turn to Congress.

The US Congress had passed a $2.2 billion arms sale to Egypt last January, despite attempts by Democratic members of Congress and Republican Rand Paul to block its passage. This deal is the second of its kind since President Biden took office. Following that step, days later, the US administration decided to withhold $130 million in military aid to Egypt for reasons related to Egypt’s poor human rights record. The US Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas Greenfield, said earlier this month that her country’s government is following up on human rights violations in Egypt. In its meetings with Egyptian officials at all levels, she touched on the issue of human rights.