Egypt imposes travel restrictions

CAIRO: Egypt has imposed restrictions on male citizens traveling to Turkey and war-torn Libya to stop them joining organizations like the Islamic State group, a security official said Wednesday.
Men aged 18 to 40 who plan to travel to the two countries need prior clearance from Egyptian immigration under the new rules which came into effect on Dec. 3. “We are adopting these measures to protect our sons from joining terrorist groups abroad,” the official said. “Now every man traveling to these countries must clearly state the reason to the authorities.” In November Egypt’s deadliest militant group, Ansar Beit Al-Maqdis, pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group, further raising security concerns.
Turkey, a vocal critic of the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad, has denied accusations that it tolerates the flow of foreign fighters into Syria.
Cairo has also regularly raised concerns over the war in Libya, which has plunged into chaos since the ouster and killing of long-time leader Muammar Qaddafi in 2011.