The Dutch embassy in Cairo was closed until further notice after demonstrations against the Netherlands continued for a ninth consecutive day, the embassy said. The embassy was evacuated during each demonstration for security reasons and remains available for emergency consular assistance. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the closure was a precaution and that the safety of its staff was the top priority.

The protests concerned the arrest in the Netherlands of Ahmed Nasser, deputy head of the Union of Egyptian Youth Abroad and a government spokesperson. He was arrested on 10 October on suspicion of threatening activist Anas Habib, and his detention was extended by 14 days. Egypt’s foreign minister had asked his Dutch counterpart for Nasser’s release and an explanation of the arrest. It was not known when the embassy in Cairo would reopen.