President Donald Trump issued a demand regarding American naval units. In a message on the Truth Social platform, he instructed Secretary of State Marco Rubio to immediately address the issue of ensuring free access to the Panama and Suez Canals for the American fleet and navy.

Trump has said repeatedly that he wants to "take back" the Panama canal. Before taking office in January, he said that he would not rule out using economic or military force to regain control over the canal.

Many Egyptians have responded negatively to a demand by US President Donald Trump that American ships should sail the Suez Canal free of charge. Mr Trump's comments on Saturday are the latest in a series of proposals for the Middle East that have raised concerns over his policy towards the region.