REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA - Egyptian Ambassador to Indonesia Baha Dessouki said his country ensured the safety of all foreigners living in Egypt, including Indonesian students, despite current tension.

"The situation in Cairo and other areas in Egypt is getting better. So, there is no need for the Indonesian government to withdraw its citizens from Egypt over fear of security," said the ambassador on Wednesday.

Dessouki explained that the first priority of the Egyptian government was to restore security since it is necessary for rebuilding the nation including in economy.

"We believe that security will ensure the development of economy in Egypt including restoring our tourism sector which has been badly affected by the conflict," he added.

Currently there are about 3,500 Indonesians living in Egypt where most of them are students in big universities such as Al Azhar and Cairo University. As the tension rises in Egypt following the ousting of former President Mohammed Mursi on July 3, many Indonesians fear of the safety of their relatives studying in Egypt.

Earlier, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Grand Imam of Al Azhar Prof Dr Ahmed Al Tayeb had a telephone conference on the safety of Indonesian students in Egypt.

"During the phone conversation, the Al Azhar Grand Imam assured the president that the Indonesian students are safe and do not need to be evacuated," Indonesian Ambassador to Egypt Nurfaizi Suwandi said on Monday, August 26, 2013.

According to the ambassador, the Grand Imam believed evacuation was not necessary because the country is still safe for the students, and the summer holidays will soon be over.

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