Israeli Ambassador to Egypt Yaakov Amitai refused to leave the VIP lounge of the airport and enter his vehicle, fearing a bomb was attached, the Egyptian media reported on Monday, February 27, 2012. Amitai told officials that he would not enter the vehicle until such time bomb-sniffing dogs checked and cleared the vehicle.

Israeli media reports of the event do not indicate if the ambassador was acting on his fears and/or suspicions, or alternatively on credible intelligence community information.

El-Hayat reports the ambassador has requested increased security. This amid Israeli intelligence reports advising stepped-up security for all diplomatic missions and personnel abroad as Iran continues efforts to strike out at Israelis around the world.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)