“I’M terrified that something will happen to A’ishah”.

Leila Sabra, who has been fighting for several years to be allowed to leave Egypt with three-and-a-half-year-old daughter A’ishah, has spoken of her terror after being caught up in the Egyptian protests.

Leila, whose mum lives in Throop, Bournemouth, was reunited with her kidnapped daughter but is stuck in the crisis-torn country while she fights continuous custody cases lodged by A’ishah’s father.

She said: “I am terrified that we might run out of food. People are hungry but they can’t get money.

“There are rioters all over the place fighting and killing everyone.”

Leila added that she has moved in with a friend’s mother in Cairo after being told they would be killed if they did not leave their previous address.

Describing what she could see from her balcony, Leila said: “The roads are empty apart from vigilantes – young men all with machetes, sticks, knives and guns all standing around waiting.

“A motorbike just went past and they stopped him to ask questions and look at his ID. If they are not happy they will kill him.

“The other day we were on the balcony and the military were shooting with machine guns. Three bullets zoomed in front of us. You could actually see the bullets.”

Friends of Leila believe that the violence in Egypt may ironically be Leila’s best chance of getting home if British citizens are evacuated.

But Leila says sadly: “I don’t know. I don’t know what to do anymore.

“I’ve ended up in a civil war. It’s me and my baby. We are alone and frightened.”

People can help Leila’s bid by joining their Facebook page, Bring 3yr old Aishah Sabra Home.