Emiratis urged to avoid travelling to Egypt

DUBAI // The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has urged Emiratis not to travel to Egypt and those already there to leave ahead of expected mass protests aimed at toppling the regime.

The travel advisory, which will remain until any further notice, comes in line with the UAE’s keenness to ensure its citizens’ safety, said the ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement on WAM, the UAE news agency.

“The move comes in line with the UAE's keenness on the safety of its citizens abroad,” said Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Butti Al Hamed, Under Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Opposition groups are planning mass protests in the coming days calling for the resignation of the Egyptian President, Mohammed Morsi, on the first anniversary of his appointment.

The security situation in the country has due to the political tension between Morsi’s supporters and opponents, prompting calls from Al Azhar, highest religious authority, warning of a ‘civil war’.

The ministry also called on Emiratis in Egypt to avoid places of gatherings and demonstrations, urging them to speed up procedures of departure given the political instability in Egypt.

The UAE  Embassy in Egypt has called on its citizen in Egypt to call the following numbers - 20224156400/ 201111115911 - in case of an emergency.

“The UAE Embassy in Cairo has set up the operations room that would work around the clock to connect with its  citizens in Egypt, and provide them with instructions to facilitate their immediate departure,” said Al Hamed.