Foreign Office 'lifts' travel warning and 'no longer advises against'

The Foreign Office has warned hostilities could "escalate quickly" in the region - including Egypt - amid the conflict in Gaza.
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


A travel warning has been issued to UK tourists over flying to Egypt amid the crisis in Israel and Lebanon. The Foreign Office has warned hostilities could "escalate quickly" in the region - including Egypt - amid the conflict in Gaza.

"Ongoing hostilities between Israel and Lebanon could escalate quickly and pose risks for the wider region," the Foreign Office warned, before going on to urgently add: "Monitor this travel advice and other media as the situation is changing fast."

But, in a major boost, FCDO no longer advises against all but essential travel to some areas of the Western desert. But the Foreign Office advises against all travel to within 20km of the Egypt-Libya border, except for the town of El Salloum.

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It says: "We advise against all but essential travel. There are active military operations targeting criminal activity in this area." It adds: "FCDO advises against all travel to North Sinai Governate due to continuing criminal activity and terrorist attacks on police and security forces that have resulted in deaths.

"FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the northern part of South Sinai Governate, beyond the St Catherine-Nuweibaa road, except for the coastal areas along the west and east of the peninsula. We advise against all but essential travel due to criminal activity and terrorist attacks on police and security forces that have resulted in deaths.

"If you plan to travel in a 4-wheel-drive vehicle from mainland Egypt through the Suez crossing, you must get a permit from Travel Permits Department of the Egyptian Ministry of the Interior. You should book any activities outside of resort areas through approved agents or tour operators.

"There is no FCDO travel warning for Red Sea tourist areas in the southern part of the Sinai Peninsula and further south. Security forces carry out routine checks on vehicles and at airports to protect resorts such as Sharm el Sheikh, Hurghada and Marsa Alam."