WASHINGTON (AFP) – The United States will retain its military ties with Egypt but recent violence by the army is jeopardizing the relationship, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel told the country’s military chief Thursday.

“The Department of Defense will continue to maintain a military relationship with Egypt, but I made it clear that the violence and inadequate steps towards reconciliation are putting important elements of our longstanding defense cooperation at risk,” Hagel said in a statement, recounting his phone call Thursday to General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.