Egypt travel advice relaxed by UK Foreign Office

The political crisis in Egypt has done considerable damage to the country's tourist industry

The Foreign Office has relaxed its travel advice for British citizens heading to Egypt.

It has lifted its advice - put in place on 28 January amid widespread unrest - against "all but essential" travel to Cairo, Alexandria and Suez.

Following Hosni Mubarak's decision to step down as president, the situation is "much improved", said a spokesman.

Earlier David Cameron visited Egypt and held talks with the head of the armed forces and the caretaker PM.

Mr Cameron said Egypt had a "great opportunity" to push for democracy.

He also condemned violence in neighbouring Libya, where the reaction of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi's regime to protests against his rule have resulted in bloodshed.

A Foreign Office spokesman said of travel to Egypt: "Our embassy in Cairo and our consulate general in Alexandria have been following the security situation extremely closely.

"The large protests in Cairo, Alexandria and Suez have ended and these cities have been increasingly calm over the last week."

Egypt's army is in control of an interim government, after two weeks of massive protests forced President Mubarak to step down.

The Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh remained calm throughout the crisis and Britons were not at any point advised to avoid it.