Egypt violent protests

Coinciding with the anniversary of the Jan. 25, 2011, uprising in Egypt that led to the ousting of President Mubarak, six days of rioting in January resulted in at least 60 deaths. Protests in Cairo, Alexandria, Port Said, Suez, Ismailia and several cities in the Nile Delta turned into violent conflicts with the police, with more than 100 policemen injured. Several roads were closed and railways blocked during the riots.

The army was called out to restore peace, and a 30-day state of emergency was called in the cities, but protesters in Port Said, Suez and Ismailia ignored the curfew and marched.

In Cairo, the worst fighting was in Tahrir Square. On Jan. 29 the InterContinental Cairo Semiramis Hotel was temporarily closed when armed robbers trashed the lobby and attempted to loot shops.

Foreign governments have advised against all travel in the northern Sinai Peninsula and against nonessential travel in the southern Sinai (including St. Catherine’s Monastery). Elsewhere in Egypt, travel is considered safe so long as public protests are avoided.