The British Embassy in Cairo announced on Sunday the temporary closure of its main building, just hours after Egyptian authorities removed the concrete security barriers surrounding the mission in the Garden City district.
In a statement, the embassy confirmed that the closure was necessary while reviewing the impact of the new security arrangements. The embassy said it will continue monitoring the situation closely to ensure the safety of its staff and visitors.
Security barriers removed by Egyptian authorities
Egyptian authorities recently decided to lift the long-standing concrete barriers around the British Embassy, explaining that the move was aimed at easing traffic flow in the busy streets near the diplomatic mission. These barriers had been in place for years as part of heightened security measures.
Tensions rise after London embassy incident
The embassy closure comes amid heightened diplomatic tensions between Cairo and London. Earlier this week, British authorities released Egyptian activist Ahmed Abdel Qader, widely known as “Mido,” following his arrest in London. Abdel Qader was detained after confronting individuals attempting to storm the Egyptian Embassy in London, sparking strong reactions in both countries.
Egyptian Foreign Ministry response
In response to the incident, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Aty held talks with British National Security Advisor Jonathan Powell. Abdel Aty stressed that Egypt is closely following the investigations surrounding Abdel Qader’s arrest and demanded full transparency on the reasons behind his detention, as well as his immediate release.
The minister also warned that Egypt reserves the right to respond under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Immunity if host countries fail to provide adequate protection for its diplomatic missions.
Sensitive timing for UK-Egypt relations
The removal of security barriers and the embassy’s temporary closure coincide with a sensitive period in bilateral relations. Both governments are carefully watching developments following the attack on the Egyptian Embassy in London, an event that has underscored the fragility of current UK-Egypt ties.
The British Embassy in Cairo reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the safety of its mission, while Egyptian authorities stressed their determination to maintain stability and protect all foreign embassies operating in the capital.
