Saudi recalls Cairo envoy

Army soldiers and riot police stand guard outside the Saudi Arabia Embassy in Cairo April 28, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

RIYADH - Saudi Arabia announced Saturday to recall its ambassador in Egypt and close its embassy in Cairo and consulates in the Egyptian cities of Alexandria and Suez, the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.

The Saudi ambassador to Egypt has been recalled for consultation after days of protests by Egyptians in front of the Saudi diplomatic missions, SPA said.

"The protests and attempts to storm the Saudi embassy have threatened the security of both Saudi and Egyptian staff. The hostile slogans chanted by the protesters have violated the dignity of the Saudi diplomatic missions," it said.

The protesters were calling for the release of an Egyptian lawyer and activist, Ahmed Gezawi, who was detained earlier this month at a Saudi airport for carrying drugs.