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.

A U.S. military spokesman told VOA Wednesday that American and Egyptian forces normally hold joint exercises every two years, with the next round originally scheduled for the last quarter of 2011.

Major T.G. Taylor, a spokesman for the U.S. military's Central Command, said the two countries will begin planning next year for their next joint “Bright Star” exercise, which would be held in 2013.

A popular uprising earlier this year forced Egypt's long-time president, Hosni Mubarak, to step down. Since then, a military-run interim government has ruled the country, but that administration faces continued protests and pressure for greater political reforms.