U.S. Embassy In Cairo Provides Refuge To Activists

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. State Department has confirmed that American democracy advocates, barred from leaving Egypt, have been allowed to stay as "guests" at the U.S. Embassy in Cairo.

The move comes after raids by Egyptian security forces on the offices of 10 international NGOs last month.

The Associated Press reports that Egyptian authorities are preventing at least six Americans and four Europeans from leaving the country, citing a probe into their organizations' work and funding.

U.S. State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland said the activists were looking to circumvent Egyptian judicial proceedings.

Washington has called on Cairo to lift travel restrictions for NGO workers and end harassment of civil society.