The UK has quickly closed its embassy in Cairo after Egyptian authorities eliminated safety limitations exterior the constructing, amid a diplomatic row over the arrest of an activist.
The UK International Workplace mentioned its principal embassy constructing within the capital’s Backyard Metropolis district would stay shut “whereas the affect of those adjustments is reviewed”, however added the embassy remained operational.
The choice follows rising calls within the nation for a retaliatory response to the UK’s dealing with of a protest in London, experiences say.
Final week, a outstanding pro-Egyptian authorities activist was arrested and later launched after apparently confronting protesters exterior Egypt’s UK embassy, Daily News Egypt reported.
Egyptian International Minister Badr Abdelatty reportedly known as the UK’s Nationwide Safety Adviser Jonathan Powell final week to ask for an evidence over the arrest.
Abdelatty has beforehand mentioned Egypt has the “proper to reply and reciprocity” in opposition to nations that “failed to offer safety for Egyptian embassies in accordance with the Vienna Conference”.
The arrest additionally sparked a row in Egypt, with some political figures urging Egyptian authorities to take away limitations from the UK’s embassy in Cairo.
BBC Information understands the UK authorities is constant to have interaction with Egyptian counterparts over the safety of the embassy in Cairo and the security of employees.
The International Workplace has provided phone numbers on the Egypt travel advice tab of its web site for these in want of consular help. The web page doesn’t advise in opposition to journey to Cairo, however does advise in opposition to journey to sure elements of Egypt.
Giant limitations have been put in across the UK and US embassies in Cairo for many years, which critics in Egypt say have disrupted site visitors on streets within the space.
The UK embassy in Cairo previously closed quickly in 2013 and 2014 in relation to separate safety considerations.
