Embassies remain tight-lipped amid heightened security

The Interior Ministry tightened security around embassies in Cairo and Giza, particularly the Canadian and British embassies, after they suspended their services in the country citing undisclosed security reasons. 

Neither embassy has elaborated on their concerns, as the Ministry of Interior continues to issue statements denying imminent attacks on embassies.

In a press conference on Wednesday, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said there are “indications” that embassies might reverse their decisions following measures taken to heighten security.

Shoukry said the embassies make their decisions based on information from their respective countries, and that this information has been shared with the relevant authorities in Egypt, the state-owned Middle East News Agency reported.

On Sunday, the British embassy in Cairo suspended its services until further notice, asking Egyptian citizens to refrain from visiting the embassy in the upscale Cairo neighborhood of Garden City.

An embassy media representative told journalists that the decision was taken for the security of staff members. On Tuesday, a statement was made by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office emphasizing ongoing support for British investors and tourists.

“We are working on some simple, practical steps related to the physical security of our building to allow us to resume full public services. The UK government is in close partnership with the Egyptian government to develop these measures and offer solutions which minimize disruption to local residents,” the statement read, adding that it is “grateful for the Egyptian government’s good cooperation this week.” 

The Canadian embassy — also located in Garden City — followed suit, suspending services, accompanied by a travel warning to Egypt.

On Monday, the Canadian Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development advised against all “non-essential travel” to Egypt in light of the security situation, “which remains unpredictable, amid continued demonstrations in many parts of the country.”

On Wednesday, the US also advised its citizens to “pay attention to their surroundings and take appropriate safety precautions, including avoiding demonstrations or confrontational situations.”

This follows the recent release of a report by the Senate Select Committee on the CIA’s Rendition, Detention and Interrogation program, which the statement said might prompt “anti-US protests and violence against US interests, including private US citizens.”

The report, released on Tuesday, details gruesome accounts of the interrogation of terror suspects by the CIA, particularly since the September 11 attacks.

In statements on Monday, Jen Psaki, spokesperson of the US State Department, said the US was unaware of the reasons behind the Canadian and British embassies’ decisions to close.

“We’re continuing to monitor developments, and Egypt will calibrate our security posture in accordance with the security situation on the ground,” she said.

Meanwhile, in statements to state-owned Al-Ahram newspaper, Abdel Fattah Othman, deputy interior minister for public relations, said security was tightened around embassies in the country, and that delegations from the ministry and the embassies had agreed on a security plan.

Othman denied any looming threats, noting that the embassies that asked for stronger security are those who launched a war on the Islamic State. He added that they are now protected by armed security and surveillance cameras. 

Al-Shorouk privately owned newspaper reported that the Ministry of Interior has threatened to use live ammunition against any armed assailants who approach embassies in Egypt. Inspections are also reported to have been made by several officials, including Prime Minister Ibrahim Mehleb and Finance Minister Hany Qadry.