(AFP File Photo)
The United States embassy in Cairo will be closed to the public on 30 June “in anticipation of demonstrations that may turn violent,” the embassy announced on Monday.
In a security message, the US embassy advised its citizens to “maintain a low profile” and “restrict movement to the immediate area of their residences and neighbourhoods” beginning on Friday 28 June, “as potentially violent protest activity may occur before 30 June.”
The embassy also warned of potential confrontations between individuals collecting Tamarod signatures and opposing groups in the days leading up to Sunday.
“Even demonstrations or events intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence,” noted the security message.
Great Britain’s Foreign Commonwealth Office advised its citizens to “avoid all demonstrations and large gatherings,” adding that they should exercise caution in areas that have government buildings, police stations, security directorates, political party offices, military barracks, the Tahrir Square area, the presidential palace, and Moqattam, where the Muslim Brotherhood’s headquarters are located.
Demonstrations across the country, both in support of and in opposition to President Mohamed Morsi, are expected to begin on a large scale on Friday. Opposition groups have called for mass demonstrations against the president and Muslim Brotherhood on Sunday 30 June, the one year anniversary of Morsi’s inauguration.
