Egypt admonishes US embassy over Cairo security warning

Egypt has criticised an "incomprehensible" US warning to citizens to avoid theatres and malls in Cairo over the weekend because of unspecified security concerns, saying it could damage the country's economy.

The alert issued by the US embassy in Cairo on Friday was cited in Canadian and Australian travel warnings, with the British Foreign Office later putting out a message that copied the US warning.

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Embassy officials declined to comment, and an Egyptian interior ministry official said he was unaware of any specific threat.

"The US Embassy strongly advises US citizens to avoid large gatherings and public spaces such as concert halls, movie theatres, museums, shopping malls, and sports venues in Cairo through Sunday, October 9, due to potential security concerns," it said on its website.