Special forces deployed to secure Cairo embassies

Special forces have been deployed to secure all embassies across Cairo in anticipation of any terrorist attacks.

Interior Ministry Spokesperson, Hany Abdel Latif, told Mada Masr that forces were deployed on Thursday morning to cover all embassies and foreign ministries in Cairo.

The British Embassy, located in the upscale neighborhood of Garden City, resumed its public services on Wednesday after 10 days of public service suspension for undisclosed security reasons. The Canadian Embassy, in the same district, and the German Embassy, on the island of Zamalek, also closed their public services for staff training.

There have been no reports on when the Canadian Embassy will resume services.

Assistant Interior Minister, Aly al-Demerdash, told privately owned Al-Watan newspaper on Monday that security forces received a request from British Embassy guards for extra security in the area around the embassy.

The British Embassy is located on Amrika al-Latineya Street in Garden City, meters away from the US embassy. The street has been blocked for security reasons since 2003 and protests over the US invasion of Iraq.

A Cairo Court ordered the reopening of the Street in 2012, and described the closure as illegal and unconstitutional. However, the street remains closed, putting several shops out of business.

Riot forces are usually deployed in anticipation of violence. Such groups were deployed on November 28 to secure vital facilities, police stations and highways in anticipation of any terrorist attacks following the call for Islamist protests.