Canada, UK shut Cairo embassies

The Canadian Embassy announced its closure through a message on its main telephone number Monday. The UK Embassy closed Sunday. The nearby US Embassy remains open.

Canada announced Monday's closure "due to security reasons," and the country's registered citizens in Egypt received a separate email saying that the embassy would remain shut "until further notice."

Foreign missions have stepped up security measures since the military ousted President Mohammed Morsi in summer 2013 and began a harsh crackdown on his Muslim Brotherhood, prompting a rise in internal attacks targeting Egyptian security forces. However, groups have yet to directly target any foreign missions or interests.

'Ensure the security'

The closures also come amid calls from abroad by the "Islamic State" (IS) for attacks on nations that have joined the coalition launching airstrikes on the group in Iraq and Syria. However, neither Canada nor the United Kingdom, both members of the coalition, has provided details about any specific threat this.

British Ambassador John Casson said the country had closed the facility "to ensure the security of the embassy and our staff." He added that "we are working to restore full services as quickly as possible."

Both Canada and the United Kingdom have also previously issued warnings to their citizens against travel to restive areas of Egypt, including parts of the Sinai Peninsula, where the Ansar Beit al-Maqdis militant group has pledged allegiance to IS. Though most attacks have occurred on the Sinai Peninsula - a strategic area near the Suez Canal and Egypt's borders with Israel and the Gaza Strip - more daring militants have staged several deadly blasts in Cairo and other cities.

On Saturday, Australia, another member of the coalition, updated its advice to nationals traveling to and within Egypt, citing reports indicating that "terrorists may be planning attacks against tourist sites, government ministries and embassies in Cairo."

"We continue to advise against all travel to the governorate of North Sinai," the Foreign Ministry announced on Saturday. "We continue to advise Australians to reconsider their need to travel elsewhere in Egypt due to ongoing political tension and the threat of terrorist attack."

mkg/mg (Reuters, AFP, AP)