CAIRO, Jun 22 (Aswat Masriya) -  Egypt's minister of social solidarity approved on Monday a Spanish non-governmental organisation (NGO), bringing the total number of foreign NGOs operating in Egypt to 72, state agency MENA reported.

The foreign NGOs operate in the development, training, educational and health sectors.

Social Solidarity Minister Ghada Wali was cited by MENA as saying that the Spanish Acción contra el Hambre was approved in accordance with Law 84/2002 and in coordination with the Foreign Ministry. 

The NGO works against hunger and Wali said it was approved to contribute to alleviating poverty and developing community-based economics in the underprivileged sector.  

Last July, the ministry of social solidarity urged all domestic and international NGOs operating within Egypt to register under Law 84/2002 before a set deadline.  

A day past the deadline which expired in November, Wali warned that the situation of organisations not registered under the law is "concerning".

This law has widely been condemned by civil society organisations for granting the government control over NGOs.