The United States embassy in Cairo issued a security message on Friday to its citizens in Egypt warning them to “avoid large gatherings and public spaces” on Sunday, due to “potential security concerns.” “The U.S. Embassy strongly advises U.S. citizens to avoid large gatherings and public spaces such as concert halls, movie theaters, museums, shopping malls, and sports venues in Cairo through Sunday, October 9, due to potential security concerns. U.S. citizens should be aware of their surroundings and practice good security precautions at all times,” the warning reads. The Canadian and British embassies followed suit, also advising their citizens to avoid large gatherings and public spaces. Sunday will mark the fifth anniversary of the Maspero massacre, when clashes between the army and mostly Coptic protestors near the Maspero television building resulted in the death of 27 Copts. The protestors had been decrying the demolition of a church in Upper Egypt. Egypt’s foreign ministry slammed the foreign embassies’ warnings, saying that the US embassy “denied” the existence of a security threat while discussing the matter with the ministry. According to foreign ministry spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid, “The embassy neither coordinated…
US, Canada, Britain Warn Their Citizens in Egypt of ‘Potential Security Concerns’ on Maspero Anniversary
October 8, 2016
