Several embassies in Cairo close their doors, update security status

A number of diplomatic missions in Cairo have either closed their doors or updated their travel advice to citizens over the last few days, citing "security reasons."

Sources at the American, British and Canadian embassies, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Ahram Online that two possible scenarios underlie these measures.

The first scenario, sources said, is that the embassies are closed due to "possible political tensions that might cause turmoil," a reason that was not mentioned in the official statements.

The second scenario sources gave mirrors the embassies' official explanations: the closures are due to "security threats."

Meanwhile, sources at the Italian and Belgium embassies told Ahram Online that they were functioning as usual but assessing security conditions.