Travel Warnings

Workers affiliated to the General Labor Confederation (GLC) and several public transport unions, including public taxi drivers, will stage a nationwide general strike on 24 May in protest at the government's failure to meet their demand for a reduction in the price of fuel. Employees of Middle East Airlines will also participate in the work stoppage by halting operations from 11.00 to 13.00 (local time).

Fuel station operators in the province of Jendouba have called for a three-day strike from 21- 23 May to protest against perceived government apathy in countering the illegal sale of petrol smuggled into the country. Fuel stations across the province are likely to remain close during the industrial action, which may reduce the availability of public transport, resulting in an increased demand for taxis. Personnel should pre- book taxis to avoid inconvenience.

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit is scheduled to take place on 20-21 May at McCormick Place in Chicago (Illinois state). Anticipate disruption due to heightened security measures for the event which is expected to be attended by thousands of dignitaries and journalists. Coupled with planned demonstrations and associated road closures and traffic restrictions near the venue, this will result in significant localised disruption for the duration of the summit.

The umbrella CMKOS trade union will stage nationwide anti-austerity protests on 22 May, including a rally at 12.00 (local time) from Winston Churchill Square to the cabinet office in the Malá Strana government district in the capital Prague to protest against the government's austerity programme. A vote will be held to decide whether to hold a general strike scheduled for the next day. Where possible, plan routes circumventing protest venues to minimise inconvenience.

Several opposition groups on 19 May are planning to stage an unauthorised anti-government rally at Place de la Démocratie in the Ambohijatovo area of the capital Antananarivo, to demand press freedoms and restoration of democracy. Avoid all demonstrations due to the credible risk of clashes between protesters and the security forces.

Latest travel advice for those travelling to Italy. Includes information on entry requirements, security, local laws and health.

This advice has been reviewed and reissued with an amendment to the Travel Summary (due to an explosion in Brindisi). The overall level of the advice has not changed; there are no travel restrictions in place in this travel advice for Italy.

(see travel advice legal disclaimer)

Local sources indicate that on 19 May hundreds of people have gathered in the southern port city of Basra (Basra province) to protest against alleged Turkish interference in Iraqi affairs. Protesters are to march from the Manawi Basha Hotel to the Turkish consulate in al-Baradhiyah. Unruly behaviour by participants could prompt the security forces to intervene with forceful measures, including tear gas and batons, to disperse crowds. Avoid all protests as a routine security precaution.

Several people on 18 May were injured after the police used tear gas and batons to disperse a rally by youths affiliated to the Coordination for the Democratic Opposition (COD) coalition in the capital Nouakchott. Further anti-government rallies are likely in the coming days. The police tend to cordon off potential flashpoints and quickly disperse any gatherings. Any resultant clashes can pose incidental risks to passers-by; police cordons can disrupt overland travel in the capital.

The security forces on late 16 May killed a suspected Russian terrorist in a raid conducted by the Ministry of National Security (MNS) in the Nizami district of the capital Baku. The raid was conducted as part of the country's national counter-terrorism operations. The incident underscores the persistent risk of terrorism; foreigners face a low but credible risk from terrorist activities.

A tourist of Japanese nationality late on 16 May was stabbed in Davao City (Mindanao Island). The victim was attacked while walking late at night in the Matina area. While the motive behind the attack is unclear and investigations are underway, the incident serves as a reminder of the risks posed by violent crime in the country. Exercise heightened caution and stringent security measures at all times and in all areas.

At least six people were injured on 16 May in a grenade explosion at a restaurant in the Quiapo district of the capital Manila. Preliminary investigations indicate that the attack was motivated by a personal dispute concerning one of the customers, though the the involvement of a criminal gang is also a possibility. Such incidents are not uncommon in Metro Manila, and are typically attributed to criminal elements.

The Confech students' union plans to stage a demonstration on 21 May in Valparaíso (Region V) to demand education reforms; participants intend to gather at 10.00 (local time) at Plaza Victoria. The event is likely to be well attended and held amid tight security. The congregation of large crowds can result in disruption and traffic delays. Precedents indicate that confrontations between participants and the police cannot be ruled out.

The authorities in Frankfurt (Hesse state) are expecting thousands of protesters affiliated to the ‘Blockupy' anti-capitalist movement on 19 May to rally in the city's central financial district (Bahnhofviertel). Localised travel disruption should be anticipated in the vicinity of the European Central Bank on Kaiserstrasse. Allow additional time for travel through central Frankfurt on 19 May to mitigate any inconvenience caused by the presence of large crowds and associated security measures.

Members of five unions representing air traffic controllers are set to observe partial strikes on 19-20 and 24-25 May. Travellers scheduled to fly to or from Portugal on strike days should reconfirm their bookings with the relevant airline prior to departure.

Supporters of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD, ‘Red Shirts') are planning to rally on 19 May at Ratchaprasong intersection in the centre of the capital Bangkok. The demonstration, which is being organised to commemorate the anniversary of the military's forcible dispersal of UDD protesters from the intersection in May 2010, will result in significant localised disruption. While the gathering is expected to be peaceful, personnel should avoid its vicinity to minimise inconvenience.

The authorities on 14 May announced street closures and diversions in several areas of the capital Baku from 19 to 28 May for the Eurovision Song Contest. Separately, the police forcefully dispersed protests on 14 May by the opposition Public Chamber group in the centre of the capital; no injuries were reported. The street closures and attendant security measures are likely to lead to significant travel disruption in Baku, particularly in the Bayil area.

The opposition National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) on 19 May is due to stage demonstrations at Independence Square in the capital Luanda. Any demonstrations perceived to be critical of the government may elicit an official ban or are liable to be forcefully dispersed. Personnel should avoid all gatherings as a routine security precaution.

The authorities have announced several road closures on 19 May for the annual Citrawarna Malaysia (Colors of Malaysia) festival in the capital Kuala Lumpur. Travellers can expect significant traffic disruption in the city centre during the event and should avoid the affected routes to minimise inconvenience.

Latest travel advice for those travelling to Nigeria. Includes information on entry requirements, security, local laws and health.

FCO advises against all travel to parts of this country.

FCO advises against all but essential travel to parts of this country.

This advice has been reviewed and reissued with amendments to the Travel Summary and the Safety and Security - Terrorism section (advising caution at public screenings of Champions' League Final on 19 May). The overall level of the advice has not changed. We advise against all travel to some areas of Nigeria and against all but essential travel to other areas.

(see travel advice legal disclaimer)



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The authorities on 17 May discovered improvised explosive devices (IEDs) at two schools in the northern city of Kano (Kano state); suspected members of the militant Islamist sect Boko Haram late on the previous day had attacked the two schools in Kano's Kumbotso area with guns and explosives, though no injuries were reported. The developments justify the HIGH travel risk rating for Kano, which is linked to the spread of Boko Haram activity in the region.