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March 2, 2009
Over the past two weeks there has been a series of security incidents in Cairo, including a bombing at the Khan el-Khalili on February 22 that resulted in the death of a foreign tourist, a stabbing at the Khan el-Khalili on February 27 resulting in the injury of an American citizen, and an incident with a Molotov cocktail on the Metro, on February 28, which did not cause any injuries. These events do not appear to be connected, but there is some indication that additional incidents are planned.
The Egyptian Government has visibly increased security levels in the downtown area, around major tourist sites and at public venues such as shopping centers. We advise Americans to take great care in visiting these sites, to remain strictly alert to their surroundings, and to practice good personal security measures. In the past, terrorist attacks have occurred at major tourist sites in Cairo, at the Khan, for example, but also at the Egyptian Museum on Tahrir Square, and the pyramids, as well as against tourist buses. Hotels in resort areas have also been targeted. Travelers should use caution when visiting destination resorts and hotels without significant physical setback and security procedures. Americans are encouraged to visit the U.S. Embassy in Cairo web site at
http://cairo.usembassy.gov/ for the most up-to-date security information.
For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs’ web site at
http://travel.state.gov, where the current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts, as well as the Worldwide Caution, can be found.
In addition to information on the Internet, travelers may obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada, or outside the United States and Canada on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444 . These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
American citizens are advised to maintain valid travel documents and register
with the Department of State or the U.S. Embassy Cairo through the State
Department travel registration website,
https://travelregistration.state.gov. For further information, U.S. citizens
may call the Embassy’s American Citizen Services Unit at 2797-2301 during
business hours, Sunday to Thursday from 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. For
emergencies after business hours and on weekends and holidays, U.S. citizens can
contact the Embassy Duty Officer via the Embassy switchboard on 2797-3300. The
Embassy is located at 5 Tawfik Diab Street (formerly known as Latin America
Street), Garden City, Cairo.
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