Italian FM to visit Egypt Monday following Consulate Attack

Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni is to visit Cairo Monday, two days after a car bomb targeted the Italian consulate in the city, state news agency MENA reported.

Gentiloni’s one-day visit is to discuss bilateral cooperation to combat terrorism.

The visit comes in after calls by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry to intensify cooperation with Italy in the fight against terrorism.

The attack left one civilian dead and ten others injured, including three children, according to the health ministry.

The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

The explosion destroyed the consulate’s entrance on Galaa Street, as well as its façade. A water pipe on Galaa and 26 July Street was also damaged, causing leaks.

Neighbouring buildings suffered damage. Windows of buildings located a few hundred metres away from the explosion were shattered, including some windows of the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square and the Press Syndicate in Abdel-Khaleq Tharwat Street.

An hour after the attack, Gentiloni said that his country would not be intimidated by the deadly bombing.

He also told the Italian La Republica newspaper that “there is no doubt that the aim of the attack targeted was the Italian consulate.”

source: Ahram online