John
01-23-2011, 09:36 PM
Egyptian officials have accused an al Qaeda-linked terror group based in Gaza of carrying out a New Year's Day suicide attack that killed 21 people and sparked riots.
On January 1, Christian worshipers in the port city of Alexandria were targeted by a bomber as they emerged from a church service.
It was the deadliest attack against Christians in Egypt in more than a decade and prompted rioting in Cairo and other cities.
Authorities were quick to blame al Qaeda for the bombing, but also pointed to "foreign elements" as the government has persistently denied the terror group has a significant presence in Egypt.
Interior minister Habib al Adly said there was now strong evidence to suggest the Gaza-based Army of Islam was behind the attack.
He added the jihadist group, which has links to al Qaeda, had enlisted locals to help plan and carry out the suicide bombing.
Reports said at least five Egyptians have been detained in connection with the attack and have told security officials how they were contacted by the Army of Islam.
"If elements of the Palestinian Army of Islam, linked to al Qaeda, thought they had hidden behind elements that were recruited, we have decisive proof of their heinous involvement in planning and carrying out such a villainous terrorist act," Mr al Adly said.
The organisation rejected the accusation.
"The Army of Islam has no relation, whether close or distant, to the attack on the Coptic church in Alexandria, Egypt," said a spokesman for the group, who gave his name as Abu Muthanna.
"Mossad (the Israeli intelligence service) was responsible for the attack," he added.
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak vowed that his government would do all it could to maintain unity between Egyptians.
"We will not allow terrorism to shake our stability and horrify our people or attack the unity of Muslims and Copts (Christians)," Mr Mubarak said.
The Army of Islam has been linked to the kidnappings of Israeli soldier Sergeant Gilad Shalit in 2006 and British journalist Alan Johnston, who was later released.
Source - Yahoo.
On January 1, Christian worshipers in the port city of Alexandria were targeted by a bomber as they emerged from a church service.
It was the deadliest attack against Christians in Egypt in more than a decade and prompted rioting in Cairo and other cities.
Authorities were quick to blame al Qaeda for the bombing, but also pointed to "foreign elements" as the government has persistently denied the terror group has a significant presence in Egypt.
Interior minister Habib al Adly said there was now strong evidence to suggest the Gaza-based Army of Islam was behind the attack.
He added the jihadist group, which has links to al Qaeda, had enlisted locals to help plan and carry out the suicide bombing.
Reports said at least five Egyptians have been detained in connection with the attack and have told security officials how they were contacted by the Army of Islam.
"If elements of the Palestinian Army of Islam, linked to al Qaeda, thought they had hidden behind elements that were recruited, we have decisive proof of their heinous involvement in planning and carrying out such a villainous terrorist act," Mr al Adly said.
The organisation rejected the accusation.
"The Army of Islam has no relation, whether close or distant, to the attack on the Coptic church in Alexandria, Egypt," said a spokesman for the group, who gave his name as Abu Muthanna.
"Mossad (the Israeli intelligence service) was responsible for the attack," he added.
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak vowed that his government would do all it could to maintain unity between Egyptians.
"We will not allow terrorism to shake our stability and horrify our people or attack the unity of Muslims and Copts (Christians)," Mr Mubarak said.
The Army of Islam has been linked to the kidnappings of Israeli soldier Sergeant Gilad Shalit in 2006 and British journalist Alan Johnston, who was later released.
Source - Yahoo.