Egypt warned Britain of assassination threat to Mubarak

CAIRO – 27 November 2017: The Egyptian Embassy warned the British authorities of a possible threat to former President Hosni Mubarak during his visit to London in 1983, according to secret documents BBC legally obtained and published.

The embassy said, according to the documents, “Two members of a Palestinian hit squad led by Roushdey Abdel Rahman Ouda (aka Sa’ad Ouda) were in town and had been visiting Claridges (hotel) regularly apparently to ensure that the staff would become accustomed to their presence.”

The embassy also expected, according to the documents, the arrival of additional members of the squad in London.

Ouda could be described by the embassy as “1.75 meters tall, thin-built, with a thick moustache, black receding hair and a dark complexion.”

Responding to the embassy’s request to pass the information to the Special Branch “quickly,” the head of Security Section in the Protocol and Conference Department affirmed that the authorities were fully aware of the previously mentioned “terrorist group.”

“The situation is kept constantly under review and the authorities are of the opinion that the current measures provided for the protection of the embassy and its officials are adequate,” documents read.

Mubarak returned from his second visit to London in 1983 safely, without security problems reported.

Former President Mubarak is the fourth Egyptian president. He ruled the country from 1981 until he stepped down on February 11, 2011, following demonstrations against him.