Egypt admonishes US embassy over travel warning

FILE - In this May 21, 2016 file photo, an EgyptAir plane flies past minarets of a mosque as it approaches Cairo International Airport, in Cairo, Egypt. Egyptian Aviation officials said on Sunday they would soon announce a tender for a new security system for Cairo airport employees involving retina scans, attempting to meet a key Russian condition to resume flights to Egypt.  (AP Photo/Amr Nabil, File)

In this May 21 photo, an EgyptAir plane flies past minarets of a mosque as it approaches Cairo International Airport, in Cairo, Egypt. AP

CAIRO—Egypt has admonished the US Embassy in Cairo for issuing a travel warning for American citizens to avoid large gatherings and public spaces due to “potential security concerns.”

In a statement late Friday, the Egyptian foreign ministry spokesperson says the US Embassy had not informed authorities of the reasons behind its travel warning or the specifics of the security concerns.

The US advisory is valid through to Sunday.

Spokesperson Ahmed Abu Zeid says his ministry contacted the embassy to seek clarifications.

He says that during that communication the ministry “denounced issuing such unjustified statements that may have negative consequences, especially damaging the economy.”

Egyptian security forces have for years battled militants in the Sinai Peninsula. The insurgency occasionally spills over into the rest of the country, with bombings and assassinations.

RELATED STORIES

US warns citizens to leave Egypt

Davao bombing prompts warnings on travel to PH

British passenger snaps selfie with EgyptAir hijacker

Read more...