"We have asked the military which is taking over the handling of security affairs to protect Indonesian citizens," the ambassador told ANTARA reporter Munawar Saman Makyanie in Cairo on Sunday.
He said that up to now all Indonesian citizens in Egypt were secured although demonstrations were still taking place in a number of regions there.
There are about 5,000 Indonesian citizens in Egypt, about 4,000 of whom are students who mostly stay in big cities such as Cairo.
"Resettlement centers where Indonesian citizens are staying are far away from locations of demonstrations, which are mostly organized in big cities and strategic areas," the ambassador said.
Yet, the Indonesian embassy in Cairo has provided directions for Indonesian citizens asking them to stay alert over the developing situation in Egypt.
The embassy held routine meetings with students for an exchange of information on the safety of Indonesian citizens.
Ambassador Sachir said that the embassy had not yet evacuated Indonesians, despite the fact it previously had such plans in connection with the unrests.
The ANTARA journalist reported that the present situation in Egypt was still not conducive and risky. Large scale rallies can explode anytime.
Government offices, shops and banks are closed despite calls that they have to stay open. Surrounding residents are on alert to prevent possible crimes and lootings.
The rallies were held to demand President Hosni Mubarak (87), who have ruled Egypt for 30 years, to step down.
According to Al-Jazeera TV report on Friday night, the president announced the imposition a curfew throughout Egypt but demonstrators defied it. (*)
Editor: Ruslan Burhani
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
