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Egypt: 181 Britons arrive home on chartered flight | |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Some 181 people have arrived back in London from Cairo on a Foreign Office-chartered flight, with a second being arranged for Saturday. | |
The flight arrived at Gatwick at 2210 GMT, after a delayed departure due to disrupted airport operations as pro- and anti-government protests continue. | |
Foreign Secretary William Hague described the violent clashes seen over the past two days as "reprehensible". | Foreign Secretary William Hague described the violent clashes seen over the past two days as "reprehensible". |
He said he was "extremely concerned" about the potential for more violence. | He said he was "extremely concerned" about the potential for more violence. |
Fighting in Cairo's Tahrir Square since Wednesday has seen five people killed and 836 injured - mostly as the result of stone-throwing and attacks with metal rods and sticks, according to Egypt's health minister. | Fighting in Cairo's Tahrir Square since Wednesday has seen five people killed and 836 injured - mostly as the result of stone-throwing and attacks with metal rods and sticks, according to Egypt's health minister. |
The protesters are demanding that President Hosni Mubarak, who has ruled for 30 years, step down immediately. | The protesters are demanding that President Hosni Mubarak, who has ruled for 30 years, step down immediately. |
The Foreign Office said a second chartered plane was on standby for Saturday because of the "continuing fluidity and unpredictability of the situation". | The Foreign Office said a second chartered plane was on standby for Saturday because of the "continuing fluidity and unpredictability of the situation". |
'Unacceptable and disturbing' | 'Unacceptable and disturbing' |
So far, 30 people have requested seats on this additional flight. | So far, 30 people have requested seats on this additional flight. |
A spokesman for the charter operator earlier blamed the delay in departure on Thursday on the "chaotic situation" with long queues at Cairo airport. | A spokesman for the charter operator earlier blamed the delay in departure on Thursday on the "chaotic situation" with long queues at Cairo airport. |
About six Foreign Office-organised buses have delivered around 200 British citizens for a special evacuation flight back to London. | About six Foreign Office-organised buses have delivered around 200 British citizens for a special evacuation flight back to London. |
There were a mix of a few holiday makers, some British-Egyptians who were resident in Cairo or visiting families and some expats who were working or studying in Egypt. | There were a mix of a few holiday makers, some British-Egyptians who were resident in Cairo or visiting families and some expats who were working or studying in Egypt. |
Foreign Office officials in fluorescent jackets shepherded them inside under the watch of Egyptian police. | Foreign Office officials in fluorescent jackets shepherded them inside under the watch of Egyptian police. |
They were not too alarmed, but were relieved to be leaving after a worrying couple of days. They should be back in the UK by this evening. | They were not too alarmed, but were relieved to be leaving after a worrying couple of days. They should be back in the UK by this evening. |
Mr Hague said: "The scenes that we have witnessed over the last twenty four hours are reprehensible. | Mr Hague said: "The scenes that we have witnessed over the last twenty four hours are reprehensible. |
"In addition the abuse of internet and mobile networks and, in particular, today's increased intimidation and harassment of journalists are unacceptable and disturbing." | "In addition the abuse of internet and mobile networks and, in particular, today's increased intimidation and harassment of journalists are unacceptable and disturbing." |
Journalists, including BBC staff, have been attacked while trying to report. | Journalists, including BBC staff, have been attacked while trying to report. |
Mr Hague said the investigation into the violence promised by the Egyptian authorities "must be full and open". | Mr Hague said the investigation into the violence promised by the Egyptian authorities "must be full and open". |
"I am extremely concerned about the potential for further violence. The world will be watching closely how the Egyptian authorities respond. | "I am extremely concerned about the potential for further violence. The world will be watching closely how the Egyptian authorities respond. |
"Their reputation will be severely damaged if we see violence at the levels we have seen recently." | "Their reputation will be severely damaged if we see violence at the levels we have seen recently." |
He reiterated the UK government's view that an orderly transition take place urgently. | He reiterated the UK government's view that an orderly transition take place urgently. |
'Stay indoors' | 'Stay indoors' |
The Foreign Office travel advice remains broadly the same as it has for the past week, advising Britons to leave Cairo unless they have a pressing reason to stay. Non-essential travel to Alexandria, Suez and Luxor was not advised. | The Foreign Office travel advice remains broadly the same as it has for the past week, advising Britons to leave Cairo unless they have a pressing reason to stay. Non-essential travel to Alexandria, Suez and Luxor was not advised. |
It has been updated to say that as "further major nationwide demonstrations" will take place on Friday and a general strike has been called for Sunday. | It has been updated to say that as "further major nationwide demonstrations" will take place on Friday and a general strike has been called for Sunday. |
"Previous mass demonstrations have been characterised by violence, including the use of tear gas, water cannon, rubber bullets and live ammunition. | "Previous mass demonstrations have been characterised by violence, including the use of tear gas, water cannon, rubber bullets and live ammunition. |
"All demonstrations and/or large crowds should be avoided. We advise all British Nationals unable to leave to stay indoors wherever possible," the advice says. | "All demonstrations and/or large crowds should be avoided. We advise all British Nationals unable to leave to stay indoors wherever possible," the advice says. |
In a joint statement on Thursday, Prime Minister David Cameron and his French, German, Italian and Spanish counterparts expressed their concern about the latest developments. | In a joint statement on Thursday, Prime Minister David Cameron and his French, German, Italian and Spanish counterparts expressed their concern about the latest developments. |
"We are watching with utmost concern the deteriorating situation in Egypt," the statement said. | "We are watching with utmost concern the deteriorating situation in Egypt," the statement said. |
"The Egyptian people must be able to exercise freely their right to peaceful assembly, and enjoy the full protection of the security forces." | "The Egyptian people must be able to exercise freely their right to peaceful assembly, and enjoy the full protection of the security forces." |