An Egyptian Muslim man walks past a mosque located directly opposite the Saints Church, unseen, in Alexandria, Egypt, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2011

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The State Department says this year's joint
military exercises involving Egypt, the United States and other
coalition nations have been canceled as Egypt moves away from the
regime of ousted President Hosni Mubarak.

The department said Wednesday the Egyptian government and the
U.S. mutually agreed to postpone the 2011 exercise "in light of
ongoing transition events."

Egypt and the U.S. also agreed to start formal planning in June
2012 for the next installment of what is called Exercise Bright
Star in 2013.

Exercise Bright Star is a biennial, multinational exercise
sponsored by the U.S. Central Command. It is designed to improve
military-to-military relationships among the U.S., Egypt and other
nations, including France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Jordan, Kuwait,
Pakistan, Turkey and Britain.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)