Diplomatic headquarters in Cairo, Egypt, temporarily shut down following the removal of protective measures.
In a significant turn of events, the British embassy in Cairo has temporarily closed its main building due to the removal of security barriers by Egyptian authorities on August 31, 2023. This action comes amidst growing calls for reciprocity in diplomatic relations between Egypt and the UK.
The removal of the concrete barriers, which were in place for the security of both embassies, has sparked concern and debate. Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Atty and the UK's National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell held a phone call to discuss the detention of Mr Abdelkader Mido, the head of the "Egyptian Youth Union Abroad," and his deputy, Ahmed Nasser, who were detained by British police last week during clashes with protesters outside the Egyptian Embassy in London.
The "Egyptian Youth Union Abroad" began holding pro-state demonstrations outside Egyptian embassies in several European cities, including London, Amsterdam, Berlin, and Paris. These demonstrations have been in response to Egyptian embassies being sites of protests against Egypt's position on the ongoing war in Gaza.
The Israeli bombardments of Gaza have claimed the lives of over 63,000 civilians since October 2023, leading to widespread criticism of the UK's handling of pro-Palestinian protests held outside the Egyptian embassy in London. This criticism has further fueled the calls for a tougher stance against the UK and other countries.
Meanwhile, Egyptian authorities have arrested dozens of pro-Gaza activists who aimed to gather and protest in Cairo without the necessary security clearance. Mr Abdel Atty urged the British official to "quickly investigate the circumstances of his arrest and the reasons behind it."
MPs and pro-government voices are demanding reciprocal treatment from Egypt towards the security of foreign embassies on its soil. This includes demands to remove security measures around Western embassies in Cairo, particularly those of the US and UK, which are located in the heavily fortified Garden City district.
It is important to note that the group founded to organize pro-government demonstrations related to protests in front of Egyptian embassies in Europe is not explicitly named in the provided search results. However, the "Egyptian Youth Union Abroad" has been at the forefront of these demonstrations.
In a positive development, Ahmed Nasser was released hours after his arrest, while Mr Abdelkader was released a short time later. The street connecting the embassies, formerly named Latin America Street but today called Tawfik Diab Street, has been closed to cars and pedestrians since the early 1980s.
This news serves as a reminder of the complex and evolving dynamics of international relations, particularly in regions where tensions run high and public sentiment plays a significant role in shaping policy. As events unfold, it is crucial for all parties involved to act with diplomacy and respect for the sovereignty and security of each other's embassies.
