Foreign Embassies in Cairo Without Barriers .. Egyptian Decision Sparks Controversy

In a notable step carrying strong diplomatic messages, Egyptian Foreign Minister Dr. Badr Abdel Atty announced that Egypt has decided to remove all security barriers and open the roads leading to all foreign embassies in the country, as part of a new policy aimed at facilitating the movement of vehicles and pedestrians and enhancing Cairo's image as a safe and open capital.

Abdel Atty confirmed during his participation in the first seminar of the "Maspero Cultural Salon" program at the National Media Authority, stating: "In one clear statement, all barriers will be removed and roads will be opened to all foreign embassies in Egypt."

This statement comes days after a limited diplomatic crisis erupted between Cairo and London, following the Egyptian authorities' removal of the security barriers surrounding the British Embassy building in Cairo, which prompted the British Embassy to temporarily close its main building until the security situation could be assessed.

In an official statement, the embassy clarified that the Egyptian step was taken without prior coordination, necessitating precautionary measures, announcing the temporary closure of the building "until the impact of these changes can be reviewed."

However, the crisis did not last long, as just two days later, the embassy issued a new statement confirming that it would continue to operate normally after "positive engagement with the Egyptian authorities," and announced updates to its travel advice for its citizens.

In a related context, the Egyptian Foreign Minister emphasized that his country retains its full right to respond in kind to any country that fails to provide the necessary protection for Egyptian embassies abroad, pointing out that the Egyptian Embassy in London has faced attacks and assaults that have not been adequately addressed, in clear violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

The Egyptian embassies in several European capitals, alongside Israel, are facing massive protests led by members of the Muslim Brotherhood, aimed at pressuring Cairo to fully open the Rafah crossing, accusing the Egyptian authorities of obstructing the entry of aid into the Gaza Strip.

In response to these allegations, the Egyptian government affirmed its full commitment to providing humanitarian support to the Gaza Strip, clarifying that the Rafah crossing operates around the clock, witnessing the entry of tens of thousands of trucks loaded with hundreds of thousands of tons of food and medical aid, in addition to the entry of dozens of ambulances to transport the injured, and receiving thousands of Palestinian casualties for treatment in Egyptian hospitals.

In a related context, the Egyptian Foreign Minister called on Israel to accept a proposal aimed at ending the war on Gaza, as part of the intensive diplomatic efforts led by Cairo since the beginning of the crisis, affirming that Egypt will not cease its efforts to stop the bleeding of Palestinian blood and achieve a lasting calm that preserves the rights of the Palestinian people.