Egypt pyramids warning 'baseless,' says Egyptian government
Egypt pyramids warning: Recent incidents near the Egyptian pyramids at Giza prompted a warning to American citizens from the US Embassy in Egypt, but Egyptian officials scoffed at the pyramid warning.
The sun sets behind the Great Pyramid in Giza, Egypt, April 26. Elsewhere, dozens of mostly masked protesters were hurling stones and firebombs in clashes with riot police at Egypt’s presidential palace in a Cairo suburb. Protests have become a weekly routine in Egypt since the 2011 uprising which ousted longtime president Hosni Mubarak out of power.
Amr Nabil / AP
CAIRO
Egypt's Antiquities' Ministry has criticized a U.S. Embassy message to American citizens in the country, urging them to be extra cautious because of recent incidents near the pyramids in Giza.
A ministry statement on Saturday says the warning is "baseless."
An embassy message earlier this week urged Americans to "elevate their situational awareness" when visiting the pyramids because of a "lack of visible security or police" presence there.
It noted incidents of "angry groups of individuals surrounding and pounding" on cars with visitors, sometimes trying to open car doors.
The ministry insists the pyramids' area in Giza, Cairo's twin city, is "totally secure" and that the overall situation for tourists has improved.
Security deteriorated following the 2011 uprising that ousted longtime ruler Hosni Mubarak and tourism took a sharp hit.