The embassy clarified that the closure decision was temporary until the implications of these security changes are reviewed. The Egyptian authorities removed the concrete barriers around the embassy building in the Garden City area of Cairo as part of a plan to ease traffic in the area and nearby streets. The Egyptian Foreign Minister, Badr Abdel Aty, revealed in August that strict instructions have been given to Egyptian embassies abroad not to allow any insult to their image, emphasizing firm handling of previous incidents, including one in the Netherlands which ended with the arrest of the perpetrator.
He pointed out the cooperation of some countries in protecting Egyptian embassies, while the principle of “reciprocity” is applied with countries that have been negligent, noting that ambassadors of these countries have been summoned and clear protest messages have been conveyed, with a hint at easing security measures on their embassies in Cairo.
The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has repeatedly confirmed that any attack or attempt to target its diplomatic premises will not be allowed to pass, stressing that the response will be strict through legal channels or by applying the principle of “reciprocity.”
