(Photo courtesy of Egypt’s CabinetPrime Minister Ibrahim Mehleb said during a cabinet meeting on Saturday that there must be more security patrols to secure all public and vital facilities across Egypt.
Prime Minister Ibrahim Mehleb said during a cabinet meeting on Saturday that there must be more security patrols to secure all public and vital facilities across Egypt.
This would have the added benefit of securing individuals in the country and to counter any illegal acts ruthlessly, Mehleb said.
The statements were made after a bomb exploded in front of the Italian consulate in Downtown Cairo early Saturday morning, leaving one dead and nine injured, according to a Ministry of Health statement.
The explosion occurred around 6:20am, inflicting damage to the consulate building and many nearby buildings and cars. One side of the building also collapsed due to the force of the explosion.
Mehleb said: “The cabinet will rebuild the consulate building and review the status of other affected neighbouring apartments and maintain it as well.”
Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni will visit Cairo on Monday for one day, to meet and discuss bilateral relations with his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry.
During the cabinet meeting, which was attended by the Ministers of Local Development, Aviation, Interior, and Tourism, Mehleb reviewed the latest security measures and achievements. He also announced EGP 250m would be allocated for maintenance and setting up monitoring devices around ancient buildings and touristic areas.
Local and foreign media reported that the militant group “State of Sinai” claimed responsibility for the consulate attack, which took place with an improvised explosive device (IED) planted in a vehicle parked outside the building.
This was the first attack of its kind to be claimed by “State of Sinai” in Cairo. Formerly known as Ansar Bait Al-Maqdis, the Sinai-based militant group pledged allegiance to “Islamic State” (IS) in 2014. The group has claimed responsibility for several attacks against security forces in North Sinai, the most recent of which was a failed attempt to take over Sheikh Zuweid amidst fierce clashes with the army. This left 17 soldiers and at least 270 militants dead, according to reports from the military spokesperson.
The attack also sparked international concerns, with the US embassy in Cairo strongly condemning the attack. “We extend our condolences to the family of the victim of this attack, and wish the injured a speedy recovery,” the embassy announced in an official statement.
European Union High Representative Federica Mogherini said: “The attack is another attempt to defy the Egyptian and European resolve to fight terrorism.”
She added: “We stand by the Egyptian authorities in their efforts to fight terrorism and bring the perpetrators of this attack to justice.”
Gentiloni also condemned the attack in a phone call with Shoukry on Saturday. He expressed his solidarity with Egypt in its war against terrorism and his condolences for the victim’s family.
