Egyptian satirist Youssef ends show, saying climate in country not suitable for satire

CAIRO – Egyptian satirist Bassem Youssef says his popular TV show, which sharply mocked the country’s politicians, is ending because the climate in Egypt is “not suitable” for satire.

Youssef told a press conference Monday that Saudi-based MBC-Misr TV, which had been carrying his show, had come under pressure to halt it, though he would not say from whom. He said he decided to stop the show.

Since the military’s ouster last summer of the Islamist president, Egypt has seen a surge in nationalism that tolerates little criticism of the army or its former chief Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, who last week won presidential elections.

“The present climate in Egypt is not suitable for a political satire program,” he said. “I’m tired of struggling and worrying about my safety and that of my family.”