US Warns Americans To Defer Travel To Egypt

WASHINGTON — The State Department is urging Americans to defer any non-essential travel to Egypt because of the large anti-government protests and warning U.S. citizens already in the country to stay put until the situation stabilizes.

In a travel alert issued on Friday, the department said the situation in the capital, Cairo, and other cities is volatile as the military and security forces move to quell the demonstrations. It said Americans in Egypt now should remain in their homes or hotels until calm is restored.

Although the demonstrations are not directed against U.S. or Western interests, the department noted that protests have turned violent, resulting in deaths, injuries and major property damage.

Comments

[Elpee]

03:50 PM on 01/31/2011

I toured Egypt a few months ago. Though the sites were unbelievable, the people were definitely not a happy bunch. Had no idea they were this pissed off though. It wasn't an easy trip and I'm glad I went, but whether or not this unrest had happened, I would never have gone back.

[fairwayhill]

03:41 AM on 01/30/2011

Go Egypt ! throw away the US supported dictatorsh­­ip of Mubarak, open the border with Gaza, and cut out the 2ionists from the Suez CanaI !

[rubberneckduck]

01:13 AM on 01/30/2011

State Dept. wans Americans to avoid travel in Egypt...as they might trip over tear gas canisters Made In the USA...

[rubberneckduck]

01:15 AM on 01/30/2011

WARNS! sheeesh! Just when you think you've got a good one-liner.

[harriettubman]

12:18 AM on 01/30/2011

I don't even have to be warned about something like this. SMH... Mexico either.

[archerlane]

06:50 PM on 01/29/2011

Really?? No Shit, now is not a good time to go to Egypt?

[ken607]

08:02 AM on 01/29/2011

why not just say americans travel warnings everywhere. seems like anywhere we go people h8 us. all because of "our "poloticians. polocies! if we are beloved thoughout the world why the need for 9 times the investment of "defense"? this countries prioroties are out of whack!

[frixx]

02:59 AM on 01/29/2011

Quote:

"Go, go, Mubarak go" and "the people need to end this regime" shouted the angry crowds around al-Istiqamma mosque in Cairo's Giza Square, as they shook their fists at the lines of helmeted riot police after Friday prayers.

Within minutes, water cannon showered the demonstrators and there were loud thuds as tear gas canisters were fired. People ran into the side streets of this poor neighbourhood, on the edge of the capital, with their eyes streaming.

"Let the world see what is happening in this country," yelled one elderly man. "We will never stop until this... government goes."

Ordinary Egyptians appear to be losing their fear of direct confrontation with the security forces. There have been bloody and drawn out clashes all over Cairo and in some of Egypt's main cities.
They have a long list of grievances and the demands are an explicit challenge to their rulers.

'This ends here.'

"We want a real democratic system. This regime of Hosni Mubarak has been in power for 30 years," declared Ahmed, a man in his 20s.

"I was unemployed for five years. I had to move to the United Arab Emirates. This is what I was dragged into. My son will not suffer what I have suffered. This ends here."

from: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12312330

[h3ll0mktg]

12:53 AM on 01/29/2011

Egypt has become extremely disturbing. We have heard the stories of tourists being over charged or duped and have categorized them with all the rest we have heard about Egypt travel over the years.

[harriettubman]

12:20 AM on 01/30/2011

Baby Face and his family were over there once and after he got on his jet, some people came on trying to get him to get off and take pictures. His gut told him not to do it. It's a good thing because later on he found out he would've been killed! WTH???

[Elpee]

04:14 PM on 01/31/2011

I was a tourist there in October and it was worse than you could imagine. Almost everyone we encountered tried to scam us in some way - always with a nice smile on their faces. I hope these folks get it together soon. Without tourism and the funds it brings in, Egypt and Afghanistan will be interchangeable.

[KarateKid]

09:05 PM on 01/28/2011

Well, DUH......

[PeterNPaul]

08:59 PM on 01/28/2011

Gee thanks. Wonder how many bureaucrats it took to make that call.

[KIVPossum]

06:31 PM on 01/28/2011

Sheez, you listen to State Dept warnings and even Branson is dangerous

[harriettubman]

12:21 AM on 01/30/2011

Ok, get injured or killed over there and your family would be screaming like banshees about warnings not being severe enough.

[KIVPossum]

09:44 AM on 01/30/2011

I realize that. Yet spend some time reading their warnings. Seems every nation is a danger zone.

[jasev01]

03:11 PM on 01/28/2011

travel insurance