Egypt’s Tahrir Square metro station reopens following brief security concerns

Ahram Online , Saturday 12 Nov 2016

On Friday, Egypt's main squares and streets were almost empty apart from a heavy presence of security forces, in the wake of anonymous calls for protests against "harsh economic conditions"

Metro
File photo: Cairo's Sadat metro station (Al-Ahram)

Sadat Metro Station, located in Downtown Cairo's Tahrir Square, has reopened its doors to commuters Saturday following a one-day closure in anticipation of possible protests in the square, state news agency MENA reported.

 

On Friday, Egypt's main squares and streets were almost empty apart from a heavy presence of security forces, in the wake of anonymous calls for protests against "harsh economic conditions" that had been endorsed by pro-Muslim Brotherhood Facebook pages.

 

Earlier this month, Egypt's government announced several measures aimed at reviving the country's ailing economy, including full currency flotation and a cut in energy subsidies. The decisions came amid shortages in some basic commodities and food price hikes.

 

Security authorities arrested around 300 protesters nationwide Friday, Al-Ahram Arabic news website reported, citing a security source.

 

Sadat Metro Station has frequently been closed "due to security reasons."

 

It was closed from August 2013 to June 2015 — over 650 days — to prevent protests in Tahrir Square.

 

The reopening of the station in June 2015 was a relief to passengers who were forced to commute longer periods and pay extra fees.
 

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