UNITED STATES Defence Secretary William Cohen announced in Cairo on Thursday US approval for $3,2-billion in sophisticated fighter jets, tanks and Patriot anti-missile systems for Egypt. It was the latest in a series of announcements over the past week of US approval of weapons or military aid to Arab governments, coinciding with a regional tour by Cohen to drum up support for US air attacks on Iraq. The Egyptian purchase will involve 24 advanced F-16 fighters, kits to assemble 200 M1A1 tanks and a Patriot-3 missile battery, Cohen said after meetings with President Hosni Mubarak and Defence Minister Mohammed Tantawi. It will be financed with some of the $1,2-billion per year of military aid Egypt receives from the United States. Approval by Congress is still necessary, Cohen said.