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Saudi recalls ambassador from Egypt, closes embassy and consulates in response to protests Saudi Arabia closes embassy, recalls ambassador after "Free Gizawi" protests
According to the Saudi Press Agency, an official Saudi source stated on Saturday that Saudi Arabia had decided to withdraw its ambassador from Egypt, close its embassy and consulates from Egypt. The decision came as a result of the "unjustified" protests, which took place in front of the Kingdom's embassy in Cairo, and attempts to storm it threatened the safety of its employees, from both Saudi and Egyptian nationals. The demonstrators carried hostile slogans that infringe upon the sanctity of the Saudi diplomatic mission in Egypt violating international norms and laws, stated the Saudi official source to SPA. As demonstrators attempted to disrupt the work of the Saudi embassy and consulates including its efforts to facilitate the travel of Egyptian workers and pilgrims, the government of Saudi Arabia has decided to recall its ambassador for consultations and close its embassy in Cairo and its consulates in Alexandria and Suez, further stated the source. Egyptians have been protesting against the Kingdom at the Saudi Arabia embassy in Cairo calling for the release of lawyer Ahmed El-Gizawi and against the mistreatment of Egyptians in the oil rich country. El-Gizawi was sentenced by a Saudi court to one year in prison and 20 lashes for "defaming the king," after he filed a lawsuit in a South Cairo court against Saudi monarch King Abdullah Bin Abdel Aziz Al-Saud on behalf of Egyptians currently languishing in the kingdom's prisons without charge.