Dutch Embassy in Cairo Closes to Public Amid Protests

The Dutch Embassy in Cairo has closed its premises to the public until further notice, citing demonstrations outside the building, while visa services run by VFS Global continue. The embassy described the closure as a precaution. People with scheduled appointments are being contacted about rescheduling, and the embassy said the public-access suspension would not affect VFS Global’s Cairo services. It has not announced a reopening date. People requiring urgent consular assistance were advised to contact NetherlandsWorldwide. The demonstrations followed calls for the release of Ahmed Nasser, an Egyptian citizen detained in the Netherlands. Egyptian media identified Nasser as deputy head of the unofficial Union of Egyptian Youth Abroad. The legal grounds for his detention have not been independently established in the reporting. Egyptian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nader Zaki said Egypt had seen no obstacles to the Dutch embassy’s work. He characterized temporary restrictions on public access as routine measures that do not necessarily indicate disruption to embassy operations, and said Egypt was committed to protecting foreign missions. Egypt’s Foreign Ministry said Foreign...