"The situation in Cairo and other areas in Egypt is getting better. So, there is no need for the Indonesian government to withdraw its citizens from Egypt over fear of security," said the Egyptian ambassador.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Egyptian Ambassador to Indonesia Baha Dessouki said his country ensures the safety of all foreigners living in Egypt, including Indonesian students, despite current tension, following the ousting of former President Mohammed Moursi last July.

"The situation in Cairo and other areas in Egypt is getting better. So, there is no need for the Indonesian government to withdraw its citizens from Egypt over fear of security," said the ambassador on Wednesday.

Dessouki explained that the first priority of the Egyptian government is to restore security since it is necessary for rebuilding the nation.

"We believe that security will ensure the development of economy in Egypt including restoring our tourism sector which has been badly affected by the conflict," he added.

Currently there are about 3,500 Indonesians living in Egypt where most of them are students in big universities such as Al Azhar and Cairo University.

As the tension rises in Egypt following the ousting of former President Moursi, many Indonesians fear of the safety of their relatives studying in Egypt.

Earlier, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Grand Imam of Al Azhar Prof. Dr Ahmed Al Tayeb had a telephone conference on the safety of Indonesian students in Egypt.

"During the phone conversation, the Al Azhar Grand Imam assured the president that the Indonesian students are safe and do not need to be evacuated," Indonesian Ambassador to Egypt Nurfaizi Suwandi said last Monday (August 26).

According to the ambassador, the Grand Imam believed evacuation was not necessary because the country is still safe for the students, and the summer holidays will soon be over.

During the teleconference, President Yudhoyono expressed his deep concern and the sympathy of the Indonesian government and people with regard to the crisis in Egypt.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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