30/05/2003 (Agence Europe) - Egypt withdrew its support for the coalition lead by the United States, which is attacking the European moratorium on genetically modified products in Geneva (see EUROPE of 14 May, p. 10 ). The decision, divulged on Thursday by Friends of the Earth, was announced by the Egyptian Ambassador to Brussels in a letter to the European Consumers Organisation (BEUC). The government took this decision in full knowledge of the need to maintain adequate and effective protection of consumers and the environment, and the desire to further reduce distortions and barriers to international trade, which may result due to the continuation of this case within the WTO, wrote the Ambassador Soliman Awaad. Washington claims not to have been informed.