The Wall Street Journal reports a group of senior Egyptian generals landed in Washington, D.C., on Sunday to try to mend relations following a December raid on several U.S.-backed human rights organizations in Cairo. Egypt is now preventing a group of American employees from the organizations from leaving the country. The Americans include Julie Hughes, director of the National Democratic Institute in Egypt.

Julie Hughes: “Again, NDI’s program is to support a democratic transition that has been defined by the Egyptian people, and we look forward to a dialogue that clarifies who we are and what we do. If there are misunderstandings about the work that we do in Egypt, our motivations for being here, and the impact that it has, then we look forward to clearing them up.”

Among the other the other Americans blocked from leaving is Sam LaHood, director of the International Republican Institute’s program in Egypt. His father is Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. The visiting Egyptian generals are expected to have meetings scheduled at the State Department, with members of Congress and at the Pentagon.