Egypt’s prime minister on Sunday said he had been reassured by the US that American financial aid would not be affected by the latest spat over political freedom, insisting that Cairo and Washington “see eye to eye” on the importance of their relationship.

Speaking to the FT after a meeting with Robert Zoellick, deputy US secretary of state, Ahmed Nazif said Cairo did not feel under pressure from Washington for more rapid political change, despite critical statements issued by Bush administration officials over the past week. Egypt’s relations with the US could not be based on conditionality, he added. The Prime minister also met members of the US Congress on Sunday.