UK government travel advice to Egypt has been amended following violent clashes between police and protesters in Cairo’s Tahrir Square.
British travellers were warned to avoid flash point areas across the county and seek advice from travel operators “where appropriate”. Demonstrations spread to Alexandria and Suez ahead of the first stage of elections in the country which spawned the Arab Spring.
Two people in Cairo and one in Alexandra were killed and more than 600 injured in the demonstrations together with reports of sexual assaults on women in Tahrir Square, according to the Foreign & Commonwealth Office.
“There are ongoing violent confrontations between security forces and demonstrators in Tahrir Square and the downtown area of Cairo,” the FCO said. “We strongly advise that British nationals stay away from Tahrir Square, including the Egyptian Museum and the downtown area of Cairo.”
Minister for the Middle East and North Africa Alistair Burt condemned the violence and said: “The clashes between police and demonstrators in Tahrir Square and across Egypt are deeply concerning and the loss of life and injuries deeply regrettable.”
He called on all sides to find a “peaceful way forward” through dialogue for the completion of a transfer to democratic rule in the country. “We are following events closely and our Embassy is in contact with the Egyptian authorities in Cairo,” added Burt.
Egyptian elections are due to start on November 28 and the FCO stressed that there are currently no travel restrictions in place.