CAIRO: Egypt's Minister of Tourism has called on the United States to lift its travel ban recommendation for Americans wishing to visit Egypt. The minister, Mounir Fakhry Abdel Nour, made the request during a meeting with the US Ambassador to Egypt, Margaret Scobey, said local reports on Thursday. Abdel Nour told Scobey the security situation in Egypt is more stable and being revised on a daily basis, adding that several countries, including Russia, have dispatched missions to some tourist destinations in Egypt and gave positive reports regarding the security situation and the stability of the country. Scobey said the US Foreign Ministry was proceeding with caution, adding that she understands the importance of a lift of the ban and its effects on Egyptian tourism. She said the US is currently preparing to return the families of its diplomats and employees to the Embassy in Cairo. Russia and Italy have lifted their travel bans to Egypt and Germany promised to ease the restrictions on traveling to Egypt soon. BM
