US orders AWACS to Egypt

Two US Air airborne warning and control system radar planes were ordered to leave for Egypt immediatly and remains stationed there for an indeterminate period, a Statement spokesman said Wednesday.

Officials indicated that the two sophisticated planes, manned by American crews, would be sent to Egypt for two reasons:

* To emphasize close American ties with the government to the new Egyptian President, Hosni Mubarak.

* To keep a close watch over air and sea movements around Libya, which the United States condisders a military threat to both Egypt and the Sudan.

The State Department spokesman said the stationing of the planes was agreed upon last weekend into discussions between Secretary of State Alexander Haig and Egyptian officials in Cairo.