Cyprus’ president has ordered an investigation into an altercation that allegedly occurred when Egypt’s ambassador was forced to undergo a security check at this country’s main airport.

The Foreign Ministry says Ambassador Menha Mahrous Bakhoum became “involved in an incident” with police manning the security checkpoint at Larnaca airport while escorting family members to the departure lounge to say goodbye as they prepared to leave on Saturday.

The ministry said in a statement Sunday that President Dimitris Christofias has asked for the “complete and thorough probe” and expressed “sorrow over the unfortunate turn” the incident took. The government provided no details about what had happened.

Few people are excluded from airport security checks and Ambassadors are not among them, the Foreign Ministry said.
A spokesman made the announcement after a row at Larnaca airport in which the Egyptian ambassador clashed with police when she was refused entry to the departure area to see off members of her family after refusing a security check.

The Egyptian Embassy in Nicosia was closed Sunday, and an official there declined to comment about the matter.

Associated Press