| Date: 28/04/2012 Time: 05:54:00 PM |
Saudi Arabia has recalled its ambassadors from
Egypt and closed its embassy and consulates there following protests over a
detained Egyptian human rights lawyer.
Hundreds of Egyptians have rallied outside the Saudi Embassy in Cairo this
week, calling on Riyadh to free Ahmed el-Gezawi, who was detained in Saudi
Arabia for allegedly insulting the kingdom's monarch.
An official source said that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia decided to recall
its ambassador to Egypt for consultations and close its embassy in Cairo and
its consulates in Alexandria and Suez due to "unjustified demonstrations and
protests in front of the Kingdom's missions in the Arab Republic of Egypt,
attempts to storm and threaten the security and safety of Saudi and Egyptian
employees, raising hostile slogans and violating the inviolability and
sovereignty of the diplomatic missions which are against all international
norms and laws", Saudi Arabia's official news agency (SPA) reported.
The embassy and consulates were closed due to demonstrations disrupting the
work of the embassy and consulates to do diplomatic and consular duties,
including facilitating the travel of Egyptian workers, Umrah performers and
visitors to the Kingdom, the source added. |