American Killed In Egypt Clashes, Washington Issues Travel Advisory

Two people were killed Friday , including an American in clashes between government supporters and opponents of the administration in the city of Alexandria in Egypt

Following reports of the death of the U.S. citizen in a stabbing in the riots, Washington has issued a travel advisory for travelers to the country.

"We can confirm that a U.S. citizen was killed in Alexandria, Egypt," said Patrick Ventrell, State Department Press Officer, according to the Fox News.

"We are providing appropriate consular assistance from our embassy in Cairo and our Bureau of Consular Affairs at the State Department. We do not have further information to provide at this time," Ventrell told Fox.

Riot police with armored vehicles and tear gas moved in to stop the clashes.

Protesters are demanding President Mohamed Morsi's ouster and are gearing up to hold a massive nation-wide anti-government rally on Sunday. Government opponents say that President Morsi and his Muslim Brotherhood movement are undermining secular rights in the country.

Supporters of the president are also planning to fill the streets, accusing the anti-government protesters of plotting a coup.

"Political unrest, which intensified prior to the constitutional referendum in December 2012 and the anniversary in 2013 of Egypt's 25th January Revolution, is likely to continue in the near future due to unrest focused on the first anniversary of the president's assumption of office," said the State Department in an earlier statement.

"Demonstrations have, on occasion, degenerated into violent clashes between police and protesters, resulting in deaths, injuries and extensive property damage," said the U.S. State Department. "Participants have thrown rocks and Molotov cocktails and security forces have used tear gas and other crowd control measures against demonstrators. There are numerous reports of the use of firearms as well."

Washington plans to evacuate some of its non-essential embassy staff in Cairo and their families, according to various reports.

Real Time Analytics