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‘Unprecedented Exodus’US warns against Egypt travel after deadly clashes

By C. J. Refsland on June 29, 2013 • ( 0 )

Footage from Alexandria shows protesters storming the headquarters of the Muslim Brotherhood

The US has warned Americans not to travel to Egypt and has told non-emergency diplomatic staff to leave, as clashes continue in the country.

The state department also urged US nationals in Egypt “to remain alert”.

The warning came as at least three people – including a US citizen – died in clashes between supporters and opponents of President Mohammed Morsi.

Tensions have been rising ahead of a mass rally planned by the opposition on Sunday to demand Mr Morsi steps down.

His supporters are stressing what they see as Mr Morsi’s “legitimacy”, rejecting the opposition’s demand.

Sunday is the first anniversary of the president’s inauguration.

Speaking during an official visit to South Africa, US President Barack Obama said the US was “looking with concern” at the situation in Egypt.

Morsi has accomplished nothing, and things are only going from bad to worse”

He said the US’s “immediate concern” was with securing its embassies and consulates, and their staff.

“We support peaceful protests and peaceful methods of bringing about change in Egypt,” Mr Obama said, but he added that every party had to “denounce violence”.

Earlier, the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged Egyptians to respect “universal principles of peaceful dialogue” amid growing concern over the tension between Mr Morsi’s supporters and his opponents.

‘Unprecedented exodus’

In a warning on Friday, the US state department said it had “authorised the departure of a limited number of non-emergency employees and family members” from Egypt.

It asked Americans “to defer non-essential travel to Egypt at this time due to the continuing possibility of political and social unrest”.

Cairo’s main airport was packed with departing passengers, and all flights leaving for Europe, the US and the Gulf were fully booked, officials were quoted as saying.

The officials – who spoke on condition of anonymity – described the exodus as unprecedented, the Associated Press reports.