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Egypt says Israeli response to deaths insufficient

August 21, 2011

Israeli security officers patrol at a roadblock near the Egyptian border

Demonstrators gathered outside Israel's embassy in Cairo early on August 21 to protest the deaths of five Egyptian security officials, a day after reports circulated that Cairo may withdraw its ambassador from Israel amid growing tensions.

A report by Egypt's state-run television earlier suggested that Cairo would recall its ambassador from Tel Aviv, but this has not been officially confirmed and Israel said it has not been notified of such an event.

The deaths of the Egyptians, killed along the two countries' border earlier this week, have become a litmus test for Israeli-Egyptian relations following the February overthrow of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak by popular protest.

The protest on August 21 was marked by the appearance of the so-called Egyptian "Spiderman," or "flagman," who climbed on top of the embassy to remove the Israeli flag and replace it with an Egyptian one – a move that drew cheers and celebratory fireworks from the crowd gathered below.

The incident has also become a minor sensation online, with #Flagman trending on Twitter and being discussed on various social-networking sites.

compiled from agency reports

Link to original story on RFE/RL website

Topics: Armed forces/military,