The UK Embassy in Cairo warned its nationals Saturday to avoid large gatherings and public spaces in Cairo until Sunday, 9 October, a UK embassy statement read.

The UK embassy, which joined the US and Canadian embassies in issuing such security alert, did not similarly give reasons for the warning.

On Friday, Egypt's Ministry of Foreign Affairs criticised the US Embassy's security alert, saying that the embassy did not coordinate with the foreign ministry or notify Egyptian authorities of the reasons behind the security alert.

The foreign ministry also said that officials called the US Embassy in Cairo following the release of the security alert to inquire about reasons behind it. The ministry said the embassy denied there was a particular reason for issuing the warning, adding that it is a routine procedure during extended weekends.

During the phone call, the ministry told the embassy "it rejected such security alarms, that don't give a reason, and that could have negative impacts and harm the country's economy."

Over the past five years, foreign embassies in Cairo have often issued similar warnings.