WASHINGTON, Oct. 23 (UPI) -- The U.S. government warned its citizens to be on alert for signs security situations in Tunisia, Senegal and Egypt could deteriorate.
The U.S. Embassy in Senegal issued a warning following protests in support of a cleric in police custody
A weekend warning said the security situation in Tunisia "remains unpredictable." Demonstrations there, the warning stated, could turn violent without warning.
The U.S. Embassy in Cairo said Egyptian security forces have elevated their alert status in the Sinai Peninsula ahead of the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, which starts Thursday. The threat level in Egypt is a reflection of security concerns that grew out of Israeli attacks on Gaza.
"Tourists and tourist facilities have been targeted in south Sinai in the past," the warning read. "All U.S. citizens traveling to Sharm el-Sheik over this period should avoid unsecured venues."
U.S. embassies across North Africa and the Middle East went on alert in September following the Internet broadcast of a trailer of a film made in the United States seen as insulting to Islam.
A terrorist attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya, coincided with the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. The consulate attack left U.S. Ambassador to Libya Christopher Stevens and three of his staff members dead.
