Saudi citizens alerted as Egypt protests escalate

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah and Crown Prince Salman contacted the Saudi ambassador in Cairo and urged him to take immediate steps to ensure the protection of Saudi nationals in Egypt as protests in Cairo continued yesterday.
Ambassador Ahmed Kattan told the king that Saudis in Egypt are safe and are not affected by ongoing massive demonstrations in Cairo and other parts of the country.
“The Saudi Embassy in Cairo and consulates in Alexandria and Suez have been following the matters of Saudi citizens in the country with utmost care and we are ready to provide them with any assistance they need,” he said.
Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal also telephoned Kattan and urged him to take quick steps to carry out the king’s directive. “Saudis in Egypt are in good condition,” the ambassador told the minister.
Reports from Cairo said President Muhammed Mursi met the head of Egypt’s armed forces along with the prime minister yesterday after Gen. Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi issued a virtual ultimatum to Mursi to reach a power-sharing agreement with his political rivals within 48 hours.
Egypt’s army would offer a “road map” for peace if President Mursi and his opponents failed to heed “the will of the people,” said a military statement.
In a sign of Mursi’s growing isolation, five Cabinet ministers met earlier to consider resigning their posts and joining the protest movement.
The meeting gathered the communications, legal affairs, environment, tourism and water utilities ministers.