The Egyptian parliament building (the People's Assembly) was evacuated today after the authorities allegedly received threats to set it ablaze.

Major General Adel Emara, deputy defence minister and member of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF), interrupted a press conference this afternoon to read out an intelligence brief stating that unknown assailants were planning to set the building on fire.

Shortly afterwards, employees evacuated the building and military and police forces flooded the nearby streets.