The United States and Egypt are canceling plans for a joint military exercise this year because of the political unrest and political upheaval in Cairo since January.

An Army spokesman at the Pentagon, Major T.G. Taylor, told VOA Wednesday that “Bright Star” exercises by American and Egyptian forces normally are held every two years, and had been scheduled for the last quarter of 2011.

Taylor, a spokesman for the U.S. military's Central Command, says the two countries will begin planning next year for their next joint exercise in 2013.

A popular uprising earlier this year forced out Egypt's long-time president, Hosni Mubarak. Since then, a military-run interim government has taken over power but faces continued protests and a push for greater political reform.