US re-issues travel alert to Egypt

The US State Department renewed its travel alert for citizens who reside in or may fly to Egypt, once again due to "continuing political and social unrest" in the country. The alert will expire on May 22nd. Ambassador Anne Patterson recently departed from her post at the US embassy in Cairo to become the Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, but no replacement has been announced. "There is a strong senior team on the ground" to monitor the situation and assist citizens, said State Department Spokesperson Jen Psaki on Monday. "We have a range of officials who are in charge." The travel alert "strongly urges US citizens to avoid all demonstrations in Egypt, as even peaceful ones can quickly become violent, and a foreigner could become a target of harassment or worse."