The recent closure of the British and Canadian embassies in Cairo and the upping of travel advice by the Australian embassy came as a surprise to many Egyptians, who failed to understand the reasons for the decisions. The embassies cited “security reasons”. Affaf, a government employer who lives near the Canadian embassy, said that the security forces had closed her street for security reasons. “They then thought closing the street was not enough so decided to close the embassy,” she said. Hussein Ali, a graduate who went to the British Embassy to get a visa, said “I was surprised by the heavy security measures I had to go through to enter the embassy. And my request for a visa was declined.” The Foreign Ministry contacted the two embassies for an explanation of the closures, according to ministry spokesman Badr Abdel-Atti. “Although every embassy has the right to take precautionary measures to protect their staff, we expect them to reconsider their decision,” he said. He pointed to the fact that there was already tight security in the area where the two embassies are located. The British, Canadian and American embassies in Cairo are situated in Garden City near downtown Cairo. They have always maintained tight security arrangements, with the roads to the embassies closed and cordoned off by the police. The British Embassy in Cairo took the decision to close its doors on Sunday. The Canadian embassy followed suite on Monday. Australia updated its travel advice to citizens on Saturday. They all ascribed the moves to security reasons. A diplomat who spoke on condition of anonymity said that the reactions were exaggerated. “The two embassies received security threats that made them take the decision to close. Although the measure is exaggerated, they prefer to be safe rather than sorry,” he said. The latest demonstrations that followed the verdict in the case against ousted former president Hosni Mubarak together with the signs of unrest seen in the last few months had prompted the embassies' decision, he added. The British Embassy extended its closure to Monday and no date was given for reopening. A statement released on Monday by John Casson, the British ambassador in Cairo, confirmed the indefinite closure of the British embassy. “Public services at the British embassy are currently suspended. We have taken this decision to ensure the security of the embassy and our staff,” he said. However, the British consulate in Alexandria is working as usual. No official statement was issued by the Canadian embassy. “The ability to provide consular services may occasionally be limited for short periods due to unsettled security conditions,” a statement on its Website said. A separate statement on the Canadian government's travel advice Website warns that despite Egypt's strong security “a high threat of terrorist activities remains and could affect foreigners… While attacks have mainly been aimed at the security forces, their facilities and other government buildings, attacks targeting foreigners cannot be ruled out.” The Australian Embassy in Cairo updated its travel advice, warning of reports it had received indicating that terrorists might be planning attacks against embassies and tourists in the capital. The German Embassy also said in a statement that it may close its visa department on Thursday. The US Embassy remains open despite the fact that it is close to the Canadian and British embassies. Spokesperson Jane Psaki said that Washington was watching developments closely and the Egyptian authorities were following up the security situation around the embassy. She emphasised US concerns about the safety of its citizens, especially in the light of the imminent disclosure of the Senate report on the torture that the CIA committed after 9/11. However, Psaki pointed out that the report had nothing to do with the British and Canadian decisions. But the American Embassy issued a warning to its nationals last week, saying “in light of the heightened tensions and recent attacks on westerners in the region” embassy staff were advised to stay close to their residences. Americans in Cairo were also advised to avoid locations seeing regular protest activity, citing reported clashes at several universities and neighbourhoods in the greater Cairo area. Although the Interior Ministry did not issue an official statement regarding this matter, some newspapers quoted officials as saying that the decisions had been taken by the embassies because they had requested more security measures and the closing of more streets in the area. The security forces had accepted upping the security presence in the area but had declined to close more streets given that the courts had already ruled that all the streets in the area should be opened, the reports said. The case had been filed by the owners of apartments and shops harmed by the closure of streets in Garden City. Meanwhile, the head of the Cairo Security Directorate Ali Al-Demerdash said on Sunday that security was tight around all the embassies and consulates in the capital. He emphasised that securing the embassies and consulates was the responsibility of Egypt's security forces. Recent terrorist attacks in Egypt have targeted army and police personnel and institutions, especially in North Sinai. The attacks have recently been extended to Cairo and nearby governorates, and some civilians have also been victims of the attacks.
