The U.S. Department of State has updated its travel alert about the continuing possibility of sporadic unrest in Egypt. The country will hold its first round of presidential elections May 23 to 24, and if needed a second round June 16 to 17. The new president is scheduled to take office no later than June 30. Political rallies and demonstrations are likely to occur in the period leading up to and following the elections and during the drafting of a new constitution.

In the past year, demonstrations have degenerated on occasion into violent clashes between police and protesters, in some instances resulting in deaths and injuries. U.S. citizens are urged to remain alert to local security developments and to be vigilant about their own personal security. The security situation in most tourist centers, including Luxor, Aswan and the Red Sea resorts such as Sharm el Sheikh, continues to be calm.

The U.S. Department of State strongly urges U.S. citizens to avoid all demonstrations in Egypt, as even peaceful ones can quickly become violent and a foreigner could become a target of harassment or worse. Several U.S. citizens have been arrested during demonstrations.

U.S.citizens traveling abroad can monitor the State Department's website, where the Worldwide Caution, Country Specific Information for Egypt, Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts can be found.