United kingdom Daily news: Egypt election: Foreign office issues fresh warnings to holidaymakers in run up to presidential election

Jumat, 08 Juni 2012

Egypt election: Foreign office issues fresh warnings to holidaymakers in run up to presidential election

Egypt election: Foreign office issues fresh warnings to holidaymakers in run up to presidential election

By Emily Payne

PUBLISHED: 06:34 EST, 8 June 2012 | UPDATED: 09:48 EST, 8 June 2012

With the second round of Egypt's highly anticipated presidential elections just over a week away, travellers to the country have been warned of the possibility of mass demonstrations today.

The presidential elections are due to take place on June 16 and 17 and already tension is mounting across the country.

A spokesman for the FCO said last night: 'There are calls for mass demonstrations on Friday, June 8 in Tahrir Square, Cairo, as well as in other cities across Egypt, including especially Alexandria and Suez.

Demonstrations: Protesters gather in Tahrir Square on June 2

Demonstrations: Egyptian protesters wave flags in Tahrir Square on June 2

'Smaller demonstrations are currently being held in locations across Egypt.'

It has therefore advised British nationals to 'exercise caution in areas where demonstrations are being held, avoid large crowds, including election campaign rallies, and follow developments on the news.'

The FCO added that demonstrations are likely as tension will increased during the election voting period next week, and there will be extra security near polling stations.

Pyramids: Tourism in Egypt has dwindled since last year's revolution

The pyramids at Giza: Tourism in Egypt has dwindled since last year's revolution

'We advise British nationals to exercise caution near polling stations on election days and in areas where demonstrations and election rallies are taking place,' it said.

It also reported petrol and gas shortages across Egypt, with queues for petrol continuing to cause traffic jams in many cities.

Since the first rumblings of political unrest, Egypt's tourism market has suffered a more than 30 per cent drop in revenues. It was hit by the revolution, which broke out on January 25 last year, resulting in the ousting of President Hosni Mubarak in February.

The country's Tourism Minister Mounir Abdel-Nour said the number of visitors who came to Egypt in 2011 dropped by over 33 per cent to 9.8 million - compared to 14.7 million in 2010.

Egypt has always drawn visitors due to its archaeological treasures in cities such as Cairo and Alexandria and beach resorts in Sharm el Sheikh.