Gunshot heard near Malaysian embassy in Egypt

Gunshots were heard in Gamaat El Dawal where the Malaysian Embassy in Egypt here is located Wednesday.

The gunfire occurred between 4.15pm and 6pm (local time).

Education Malaysian Egypt officer Zaliha Zulkifli said gunmen were believed to have opened fire at an army guarding an area before the soldiers returned fire.

"My son contacted me to tell me that electricity to our house was cut off a few minutes after incessant gunshots were heard near the embassy.

"He also heard hand grenade explosions close to our house which is only 50 metres from the embassy," she told Bernama.

Zaliha said before this incident, the last time gunshots were heard was on Aug 14.

Malaysian Education Egypt director Datuk Dr Su'adi Safei said he saw vehicles fleeing from an area while he travelled along a highway.

"My wife told me that she heard continous gunshots about 300 metres from our house," he said.

Dr Su'adi and Zaliha are members of the Education Ministry delegation holding talks with Egyptian universities over the plight of Malaysian students since Monday.