Washington (CNN) The Trump administration has released $195 million in military aid to Egypt, funds that had been previously withheld due to concerns over the country's human rights record.

"Recognizing steps Egypt has taken over the last year in response to specific US concerns, and in the spirit of our efforts to further strengthen this partnership, the Administration has decided to allow Egypt to use the remaining $195 million in FY 2016 (foreign military financing) for military procurements," a State Department official told CNN.

The administration decided last year to deny Egypt almost $100 million in aid and hold back another $195 million until it saw improvements in Cairo's track record on human rights and democracy.

At the time the Egyptian Foreign Ministry labeled the decision a "misjudgment," adding that it "regrets the decision."

The State Department official said that while the US had been working closely with Egypt to resolve the issues in question, the US continues to be concerned, particularly with regard to laws on nongovernmental organizations.

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