Ministerial chamber to investigate embassy shutdowns: Tourism ministry official

According to a Ministry of Tourism official, the ministry has formed a chamber to follow up on European reactions in the wake of several European embassies in Cairo shutting down, citing “security reasons”.

The recent decisions by the British and Canadian embassies to suspend their services earlier this week were followed by the German embassy’s decision to suspend its activities on Thursday.

The official said: “The ministry is working in parallel with the two ministries in order to understand the international reaction and to clarify Egypt’s intentions.”

The official, who requested anonymity, said the Ministry of Interior has demanded more security checkpoints near hotels downtown, particularly hotels close to Tahrir Square.