Egyptian authorities removed security barriers in front of the British Embassy in Garden City, which had been closed to traffic for years.
The British Embassy in Egypt, meanwhile, announced the closure of the main building of the embassy in Cairo on August 31.
In a statement issued on its official Facebook page, the embassy asked residents to contact the embassy in advance by phone to obtain necessary instructions regarding entry to the embassy compound, pending the review of the latest security measures.
Egyptian activist arrested in London
Previously, British authorities arrested a member of the Egyptian Youth Abroad Union, in what the National Front Party called, “A shocking step that represents a flagrant violation of the most basic principles of justice, an assault on human rights, and a transgression of all rules of diplomatic relations and mutual respect between countries.”
The incident dates back to late August, when the head of the Egyptian Youth Abroad Union, Ahmed Abdel-Qader Mido, announced the continuation of his volunteer initiatives alongside other youth to protect Egyptian embassies abroad.
Mido stated that he would confront the Muslim Brotherhood’s attempts to target Egyptian embassies, including the Egyptian embassy in London, which Brotherhood members attempted to storm under the pretext of pressuring the Egyptian regime to open the Rafah crossing.
British authorities arrested Mido without clear reason on Monday, August 25.
Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty instructed the Egyptian embassy in London to communicate with the relevant British authorities to quickly clarify the circumstances of the Egyptian citizen’s arrest, provide him with all consular services, and work to ensure his speedy release.
On August 27, British authorities released Mido, hours after the Egyptian Foreign Ministry intervened and Minister Abdelatty contacted the British National Security Advisor, Jonathan Powell, a day earlier on August 26.
The Egyptian minister said that the Foreign Ministry is closely following developments surrounding Mido’s arrest in London, calling for a swift investigation into the circumstances behind it, the reasons that led to it, the results of the investigation, and his immediate release.
Muslim Brotherhood Calls for Protests
Muslim Brotherhood members had staged demonstrations surrounding Egyptian embassies in several European countries, demanding pressure on Egypt to open the Rafah crossing.
Brotherhood members also demonstrated in front of the Egyptian embassy in Tel Aviv, demanding that Cairo open the crossing to allow humanitarian aid to enter Gaza.
National Front Party’s reaction
The National Front Party in an official statement affirmed its support and solidarity with the Egyptian Foreign Ministry, emphasizing the need to reciprocate and establish a new principle – “We will not protect those who do not protect us.”
The party emphasized that the unacceptable behavior by the British authorities cannot be viewed as a simple legal measure, but rather as a negative message that affects the will of all Egyptians at home and abroad, and aims to undermine relations between the Egyptian and British peoples.
The National Front Party declared its categorical rejection of the arrest, which, it said, is an irresponsible practice that will be dealt with firmly and strictly.
The party declared its full solidarity with the detained Egyptian citizen, calling on the British government to release him immediately and unconditionally, and to issue an official apology to the Egyptian state.
It also called for increased protection to the Egyptian embassy there and the punishment of those who stormed it.
The party demanded that the Egyptian Foreign Ministry to take clear and decisive steps to respond in kind and not allow the continuation of these double standards, which harm Egypt’s reputation.
The party emphasized that the time has come to reconsider the treatment accorded to British diplomatic missions in Cairo, particularly the British Embassy in Garden City, which, due to concrete barriers and excessive security measures, has become a closed zone that has hampered the daily lives of citizens.
It called for the removal of these barriers and for the British Embassy to adhere to the same standards as other foreign embassies operating in Egypt, based on complete equality and reciprocity.
The party emphasized that relations between countries are not built on imposing hegemony or disdain for peoples, but rather on mutual respect and complete equality, concluding: “Egypt, with its long history and strong present, will never allow itself to be treated in a manner befitting its status, sovereignty, and the dignity of its citizens.”
Media Response
Media host Ahmed Moussa commented on the removal of security barriers in front of the British Embassy in Garden City, saying, “As the great people demanded last week, the Egyptian nation’s orders to remove the barriers and open the streets in front of the British Embassy in Garden City, which had been closed to traffic for years, were implemented at dawn today.”
Moussa continued, via his page on the “X” platform, that “What happened on Sunday was a correction of a mistake, and the embassy had been receiving special treatment with excessive barriers, which hindered citizens’ movement.
He added, “Reciprocity is the decision that must be applied to everyone without exception,” concluding, “Egypt is a large and strong country that does not accept blackmail or compromise. Whoever respects us, we will respect them.”
British Embassy Shuts Down
Moussa continued, “The British Embassy in Cairo is closing its main gate today and is urging people to contact it by phone to book appointments in advance. I believe the London community (government) is upset about the issue of reciprocity, the removal of barriers, and the opening of streets to the movement of citizens and vehicles. They are quickly acting out.”
“You leave terrorists at our embassy in London and provide them with protection while they threaten the embassy’s security and you do nothing. When we remove the barriers and street closures, you act out. We respect human rights and the rights of pedestrians and drivers.”
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
