|
|
October 29, 2004 |
|
||
|
|
|
|
||
|
|||||
UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF CROWN PRINCE ABDULLAH THE CABINET FOLLOWS UP THE DEVELOPMENTS ON THE PALESTINIAN AND IRAQI ARENAS. PRINCE SULTAN IBN ABDUL AZIZ TO OFFICERS: THE SAUDI AUTHORITIES WILL DETER AND CONTAIN THE OUTLAWS WITHIN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS. SAUDI ARABIA STRONGLY OBJECTS TO THE ALLEGATION MADE BY A FORMER US OFFICIAL THAT OSAMA BIN LADEN RECEIVES MONEY FROM HIGH-RANKING SAUDI ARABIANS. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz Al Saud has received in his office at Al-Yamamah Palace the Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi and his accompanying delegation. The Minister conveyed to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques the greetings of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic revolution Ali Khamenei and President Mohammad Khatami, of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques welcomed the Iranian Foreign Minister and wished him a good stay. The Iranian minister assessed bilateral ties as positive which play an important role in strengthening regional stability. "Iran and Saudi Arabia as important elements in the Islamic world and the region can enjoy broad cooperation to reinforce solidarity among Islamic states," he said. The Iranian Minister added that the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques expressed satisfaction over progress made in relations between the two countries. During the meeting, the two sides discussed latest bilateral, regional and international developments particularly situation in Iraq and Palestine. Minister Kharazi expressed his thanks and gratitude for the warm welcome he received and said the Islamic Republic of Iran considers the Kingdom as the leading country and the region adding the Iran cherishes the distinctive relations and cooperation between the two countries, stressing that Iran's endeavour is to enhance these relations for the benefit of both countries and people. The meeting was attended by Prince Abdul Rahman Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Minister of Defence and Aviation and Inspector General, Prince Ahmad Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Minister of the Interior, Prince Saud Ibn Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Chairman of the General Intelligence, Prince Faisal Ibn Khalid Ibn Sultan, the Head of the Royal Court Mohammed Al Nuwaissar, Minister of State and member of the Council of Ministers Dr Abdul Aziz Al Khuwaitar, the Advisor at the Royal Court Fahd Al Brahim, the Head of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques private office Mohammad Al Sulaiman, the Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers Court Saleh Al Brahim and the Assistant Foreign Minister Nizr Ibn Obaid Madani. The Iranian Foreign Minister was accompanied by spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi, member of the Shoura Council Ali Ahmadi and The Iranian Charge d'Affaires in Riyadh Ali Riza Inayati. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz received at his office at Al-Yamamah palace in Riyadh Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Minister of Interior, and the governors of regions. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques met with the twelve governors to mark their 11th annual meeting. They listened to instructions from the monarch who urged for more efforts to meet the needs of citizens and achieve their comfort and prosperity. In his own name and on behalf of the governors, Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz thanked King Fahd for his valuable advice and kind care. Prince Naif also briefed the monarch on the issues discussed during the governors' conference. The audience was attended by a number of princes, led by Prince Abdul Rahman Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General. Senior government and protocol officials were also present. Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard, received at his office at Al-Yamamah palace in Riyadh Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Minister of Interior, and the governors of regions . Crown Prince Abdullah met with the twelve governors to mark their 11th annual meeting. They listened to instructions from the crown prince who urged for more efforts to meet the needs of citizens and achieve their comfort and prosperity. In his own name and on behalf of the governors, Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz thanked Crown Prince Abdullah for his valuable advice and kind care. Prince Naif also briefed the Crown Prince on the issues discussed during the governors' conference. The audience was attended by Prince Mohammed Ibn Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Assistant Minister of Interior for Security Affairs; Prince Abdulaziz Ibn Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, Advisor at the Crown Prince's court; Prince Bandar Ibn Salman Ibn Mohammed Al Saud, Advisor at the Crown Prince's Court; and senior interior ministry officials. Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Interior Minister, chaired the 11th annual meeting for the Governors of the regions, the Governor of Al Hudud ash Shamaliyah Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz Ibn Mussaeid Al Saud, the Governor of Al Bahah, Prince Mohammed Ibn Saud Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Governor of Riyadh region Prince Salman Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Governor of Assir region Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, the Governor of Al Madinah Al Munawarrah Prince Miaren Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Governor of Al Qasim, Prince Faisal Ibn Bandar, the Governor of Ha'il Prince Saud Ibn Abdul Mohsen, the Governor of Najran , Prince Misha'al Ibn Saud, the Governor of Jizan Prince Mohammed Ibn Nasser, the Governor of Ash Sharqiyah (Eastern Province) Prince Mohammed Ibn Fahd, the Governor of Tabuk Prince Fahd Ibn Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Governor of Al Jawf, Prince Fahd Ibn Badr Ibn Abdul Aziz, in the presence of Prince Ahmad Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Interior Minister, and Prince Mohammed Ibn Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Assistant Interior Minister for Security Affairs, as well as other senior officials. Following the meeting Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz said the participants of the meeting had reviewed issues pertaining to services being extended to the citizens. He highlighted the great attention given by the Saudi officials to the process of Saudization of jobs. Interior Minister Prince Naif emphasized the government's determination to combat beggary as press reports estimated the annual income of beggars in the country at SR250 million. "The Interior Ministry and the Social Affairs Ministry will address the issue of beggary to find a radical solution to the problem," Prince Naif said and warned that non-Saudi beggars will be deported. Prince Naif was talking to reporters after chairing the meeting of regional governors in Riyadh. He said the resolutions adopted by the meeting would be presented to higher authorities for approval. He urged the Labor Ministry to find jobs for Saudi beggars who are capable of doing jobs as part of efforts to combat begging. He also instructed authorities to provide shelter and assistance to poor Saudi children. The minister called for efforts to cleanse the minds of Saudi youth from extremist and deviant thoughts and ideologies and educate them on the basis of true Islamic teachings. "The Shoura Council has shown keen interest in this matter," he added. On the other hand Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard, received a telephone call from Sheikh Salman Ibn Hamad Al-khalifa, the Crown Prince of Bahrain. During the conversation, they discussed bilateral relations and the latest developments at regional, Arab, Islamic and international levels. Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, has also received a message from Iranian President Mohammad Khatami. The message was conveyed to the Crown Prince by Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi during a reception. Kharazi also conveyed greetings of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and President Mohammad Khatami. On his part, the Crown Prince also conveyed his greetings to the Iranian leadership. Meanwhile the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has deplored Israel's aggressions against Palestinians and its policy of killing civilians and demolishing houses in the occupied Palestinian territories. The Kingdom's stance was spelt out at a regular weekly session of the Cabinet under the chairmanship of Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard. The Cabinet reviewed reports pertaining to the developments of the situation in Palestine and Iraq, and urged the international community to take the required measures for ending blood shedding in Iraq. The meeting expressed its deep sorrow over the continuing bloodbath in Iraq and called upon the Ummah and other countries to work for restoring peace and stability in the war-torn country. The Cabinet denounced the continuing Israeli aggression against Palestinians and its killing of innocent Palestinian men, women and children and destruction of their houses and properties. The meeting decided to import Palestinian products and exempt them from customs tariff for another year from 11/9/1425. Crown Prince Abdullah welcomed Umrah (the minor Hajj) performers, and underlined the importance of providing them with all possible facilities. Crown Prince Abdullah urged all government departments to mobilize their resources in the service of pilgrims who have come from within and outside the Kingdom for Umrah. Addressing the Cabinet meeting in Riyadh, the Crown Prince welcomed the guests of God. According to the Saudi Press Agency, more than 1.3 million Umrah pilgrims have so far come from abroad. "It is essential to provide these pilgrims with all facilities to help them perform prayers at the two holy mosques in peace and tranquillity," SPA quoted the Prince as telling government departments. More than three million pilgrims from Saudi Arabia and other parts of the world are expected to perform Umrah this year. Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) has stated that an Umrah in Ramadan is equal to Hajj. Meanwhile, the Cabinet approved the start of Eid Al-Fitr holidays effective from the end of the working hours on Wednesday 20/9/1425 (Nov 3, 2004). Minister of Information Dr Fouad Ibn Abdul-Salam Al-Farsi said the Cabinet had approved the following decisions: -Deputization of the Foreign Minister or whom-so-ever he may delegate to sign the draft of the agreement between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Malta for economic, commercial, investment, scientific, technological, cultural, youth and sports cooperation. -Renewal of the membership of each of Mohammed Ibn Ahmad Ibn Abdul Latif, Dr Abdul Aziz Ibn Abdul Rahman Al-Quweiz, and Dr Mohammed Ihsan Abu Hileika at the Board of Directors the Commission of Telecommunications and Information Technology for a period of three years effective 30/10/1425 AH. -Continuation of importing Palestinian products and their exemption from custom tariffs for a period of one year effective 11.9.1425, due to the difficult circumstances facing the Palestinians. -Appointment of Mohammed Ibn Abdullah Ibn Ahmad Tasji as an ambassador with grade 15th at the Foreign Ministry. -Appointment of Saud Ibn Abdul Aziz Ibn Suleiman Al-Jabri, at the post of plenipotentiary with grade 14th at the Foreign Ministry. -Appointment of Abdullah Ibn Hamad Ibn Abdullah Al-Tuweijiri as the Deputy Director General of the National Computer Center with grade 14th at the Finance Ministry. In Riyadh Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Second Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, has highlighted the significant role being played by the Armed Forces, the National Guard and the Interior Ministry in enhancing the pillars of security and stability in the country. Speaking during his meeting with officers of the Armed Forces, the National Guard, the Interior Ministry and the General Intelligence, Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz reiterated the adherence of the Saudi people to the teachings of Islam, and their loyalty to their country and rulers. Prince Sultan expected that it would be possible for the concerned Saudi authorities to deter and contain the outlaws within the next few months, and confirmed the unlimited confidence of the Custodian of the two Holy Mosques King Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Premier and Commander of the National Guard, as well as members of the Government and Shoura (consultative council) in the Armed Forces. The meeting was attended by Prince Khalid Ibn Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Assistant Minister of Defense and Aviation for Military Affairs, as well as other senior military officials. Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Second Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, received at his palace in Riyadh Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Minister of Interior, and the governors of regions . Prince Sultan met with the governors to mark their 11th annual meeting. They listened to instructions from the second deputy premier who urged for more efforts to meet the needs of citizens and achieve their comfort and prosperity. In his own name and on behalf of the governors, Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz thanked Prince Sultan for his valuable advice and kind care. Prince Naif also briefed the Second Deputy Premier on the issues discussed during the governors' conference. The audience was attended by Prince Mohammed Ibn Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Assistant Minister of Interior for Security Affairs; and Dr. Ahmed Ibn Mohammed Al-Salem, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior. On the other hand Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Interior Minister, patronized a party held in honor of the retired employees of the Interior Ministry and its security organs. At the function held in Riyadh, Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz, Minister of Interior said, events prove men's nature and their actions and deeds in honour of the ministry's retirees. Speaking on the occasion Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz lauded those who dedicated their efforts in the service of their religion and country and deplored those who betrayed their religion and country. We do not want seditions nor any crack in the country s security. And if this happens we know what actions we must take against these evil acts, said Prince Naif. He said it is painful to see that some of the sons of the soil are engaged in Satanic acts against their religion by using Islam as an excuse to justify their barbaric and immoral acts which have nothing to do with Islam which advocate tolerance, flexibility and moderation. What they are doing tarnishes the image of Islam and gives free hand to the enemies of Islam to blame Muslims and Islam for whatever predicament they experience, Prince Naif said. Prince Naif noted that these criminal acts inspire deviant groups that are agents of foreign circles. He said that they are ignorant of the size and the dimension of harm they do to their country and people. Worse than them are the perpetrators who encourage, exploit and instigate this shallow-minded group in the name of Islam to carry out their heinous crimes and satisfy their ulterior motives. However this makes it inevitable for our scholars to work together to correct these misconceptions and uproot these deviant ideas. He said that we would like to tell our people that their brothers, the security men, do not fight this deviant group with guns but they fight them with bold hearts which none can intimidate and that they fear only Almighty God . Prince Naif called on all the people in the Kingdom to cooperate among themselves and work hand in hand to uproot the sources of terrorism rather than fight them because by eliminating the cause we will radically combat terrorism. What affirms the courage of our brave security men is that none of them was found hit from behind unlike those cowards who hit and run, he said. Prince Naif reiterated the readiness of security men to sacrifice their lives for the sake of their religion and country. He urged Ulema (the Muslim scholars) to work for correcting wrong concepts and deviated ideas. 'Along with the security authorities, all other concerned authorities should work for the containment of sedition' he said noting that the ongoing arrangements to organize a conference for combating terrorism in the Kingdom has provided a clear evidence for the Kingdom's determination on uprooting terrorism. Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz reiterated the readiness of the security men to sacrifice their lives for the sake of their religion and country. The hosting of the International Conference on Terrorism held in the Kingdom by Prince Naif showcased tangible evidence of the Kingdom's determination to join hands with the international community to combat terrorism at regional and international levels. Later, Prince Naif awarded memorial shields to the retired employees. The party was attended by a number of princes and senior officials. On the other hand in Washington Prince Bandar Ibn Abdul Aziz, Saudi Ambassador to the US refuted 9-11 commissioner's allegation and issued the following statement: Saudi Arabia strongly objects to the allegation made by former Secretary of the Navy John Lehman as reported in The San Bernardino Sun on Thursday, October 21, 2004, that Osama bin Laden receives money from high-ranking ministers inside Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia is at war with bin Laden and his terror network and we are doing all we can, in cooperation with our allies, to kill or capture these terrorists and the people who support or condone their actions. In addition, Saudi Arabia has in place strict laws and systems to combat terror financing and was praised for its efforts by both the U.S. government and international organizations such as the Financial Action Task Force of the G8. To say that Saudi government officials are supporting bin Laden is ridiculous and has no basis in fact. Mr. Lehman should recall the conclusions of the 9-11 Commission, on which he served, which stated in its final report: "we have found no evidence that the Saudi government as an institution or senior Saudi officials individually funded the organization [Al-Qaeda]." Also in Washington Crown Prince Abdullah's Foreign Affairs Advisor Adel Al-Jubeir was interviewed by Wolf Blitzer on CNN and by Maria Bartiromo on CNBC, concerning recent accusations by Sen. Bob Graham (D-Florida) that Saudi money has been financing the insurgency in Iraq. Al-Jubeir said Graham's accusations were "irresponsible" and not "borne out by the facts." "We have been serious in combating terrorism because terrorism is out to murder our people and our residents," Al-Jubeir told Blitzer. "Allegations that [Graham] has made about Saudi Arabia have been debunked by the 9/11 Commission report. It seems to me that wherever he's getting his information is not very reliable." As for Afghanistan, Al-Jubeir pointed out to Bartiromo that Saudi Arabia is one of the largest donors toward the U.S. effort in Afghanistan, both financially and materially. "If what we are doing in Afghanistan is against American interests, I don't believe the senator is aware of what the interests of his country are." When Blitzer cited a recent DIA report suggesting that Saudi money - not necessarily Saudi government money - is being funneled through Syria to help fund Iraq's insurgency, Al-Jubeir commented: "I believe the actual report by the Defense Intelligence Agency is slightly different from the way it was reported." He went on to ask how they knew that it was Saudi money. "We have taken very strong steps to make sure that our banks are solid, to make sure that our charities cannot send money abroad, that it is very difficult for people to raise cash and take it through couriers into Iraq. We have stopped individuals from doing so. We have captured individuals who have tried to send money to Iraq, and we have put them in jail. Our point is that we are very serious that no Saudi money or no Saudi individuals go to Iraq to fight in the insurgency, because they will come back and fight us in Riyadh. And if anyone has any information that can help us apprehend those individuals, please provide it to us so we can take very firm action against them." Bartiromo brought up the case of four Saudis caught trying to cross into Iraq earlier this week. Al-Jubeir acknowledged that Saudi individuals are trying to enter Iraq "as are individuals from other countries including European countries. "What we have done is beefed up security along the border with Iraq and it is unfortunate that the border guards on the Iraqi side are not present. They disappeared after the war. And the U.S. is stretched thin in Iraq. In order to seriously monitor the border on the Iraqi side, we are working with the U.S. every day to ensure we can prevent and seal the border to prevent people from coming into Iraq." Al-Jubeir told Blitzer that there was "very little" support in Saudi Arabia for the insurgency in Iraq "because nobody will condone the killing of the innocent. We are fighting our own insurgency against terrorists in Saudi Arabia It's a small group, and we are going after them. We're going after the mindset. We're going after the finances, and we're making progress." He explained that charities in Saudi Arabia are now prohibited from withdrawing cash from their accounts. "They don't even have bank cards." They're also prohibited from sending money abroad "until we have a new entity in place through which all charitable contributions will flow." The Kingdom has also advised citizens during Ramadan not to make contributions in cash but to put them directly into the charities' bank accounts so that the money can be tracked. "You're right. It's a very difficult challenge, and we're working very, very hard to have control over it. So the charges that are being bandied about from someone like Sen. Graham to say that Saudi Arabia is not doing enough are not only irresponsible but not supported by the facts." On other hand in Riyadh and despite the relative calm and improved security situation in the capital, the Kingdom has been conducting searches across the country for terror suspects responsible for a series of bombings that killed more than 100 people in less than two years. Saudi security forces arrested at least 18 people in the last three days during searches for terror suspects. Saudi security forces arrested at least 18 people, one of them wanted in connection with terrorist activities while another is a suspected militant, said an Interior Ministry spokesman. The other 16 men arrested in different locations of the capital Riyadh during the past two to three days in routine security operations appeared to be involved in low-level security matters. All the arrests were made with no real confrontation, said Mansour Al-Turki, Interior Ministry spokesman. Saudi Arabia has been conducting searches nationwide for terror suspects blamed for a string of bombings that killed more than 100 people in the last 20 months, mostly Arab expatriates. Without revealing the identities of those arrested, Mansour Al-Turki, Interior Ministry spokesman said the wanted militant was seized from an Istraha [rest house] in Al-Monisiah District while security forces arrested the suspected militant from the residential district of Al-Oraija in west Riyadh. Istrahas are places where people spend their leisure time. Istrahas are usually spacious quarters in remote areas of the city and people go there to relish Arabic dishes and enjoy Shisha. Al-Turki said the wanted militant arrested in connection with terrorist links does not figure in the most wanted list. He said that there would not be any let up in the security operations because of Ramadan. Security operations are a routine process regardless of time and period, he said. The security operation will not be lax. Witnesses said police combed the neighborhoods of Uraija, Rawda and Janadiriya in Riyadh setting up checkpoints in search for suspects. Al-Turki said police have also sometimes detained youths who engage in car racing in the city. He said security checks are conducted at random and will continue in different areas of the city without prior announcements. The Interior Ministry official said it appeared that security forces apprehended the 18 men because of their suspicious movements. He said sometimes when the security personnel demand proof of identity, people behave in an odd manner that leads to their arrest. Mansour Al-Turki, Interior Ministry spokesman urged the people, including residents, to keep their personal identification document ready and produce when demanded at the checkpoints or where police patrols conduct search operations. Al-Turki said that those arrested on suspicion might be released after initial interrogation procedures. He said there are two types of security operations: one when the authorities are tipped off and raid specific locations; and the other when routine police checks are carried out to maintain law and order in the country. He said the extra vigilance would continue as intense police presence has several times led to the arrest of suspected militants, sometimes even without any real confrontation. Ten on a Saudi list of 26 most-wanted terror suspects remain at large amid a nationwide crackdown on suspected Al-Qaeda sympathizers. Mansour Al-Turki, Interior Ministry spokesman said he has no update on those 10 from the most wanted list. On the other hand Randy Keningham, a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California State, cautioned the United States against damaging relations with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Speaking to a Select Standing Committee concerned with intelligence affairs at the House of Representatives on 4 October 2004, Keningham reiterated that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia constitutes "a dear friend to the U.S." He said that members of the Saudi Cabinet and Shoura Council with whom he spoke were shocked to learn the nationalities of the 9/11 hijackers, and utterly condemn all forms of terrorism. "Those hijackers who were Saudi citizens do not represent Saudi Arabia, which has supported the United States and has constantly reiterated the country's keenness to maintain firm relations with the U.S.," he said. Keningham said that Osama bin Laden targets not only the U.S., but also Saudi Arabia, and seeks to undermine Saudi-U.S. relations. "For this reason bin Laden used Saudis to carry out the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Bin Laden is working to topple the Saudi regime, which has excommunicated him," he said. Refuting allegations that the Saudi educational system is responsible for terrorism, Keningham said that before the 9/11 attacks there were around 20,000 Saudi students in the United States, and Saudi Arabians promoted growth of the U.S. economy, investing an annual sum of approximately $1.2 billion. Keningham said that seventy-five per cent of Saudi Cabinet members graduated from American schools and universities, and are keen to promote friendly relations with Washington; and seventy-five per cent of Saudi Shoura Council members support the United States. But it is now feared that Saudis will begin sending their children to be educated in other countries, such as Australia, New Zealand and England, if they feel that their sons are harassed in the U.S. "Such a development will adversely impact Saudi-U.S. relations," Keningham stressed. Keningham noted that Saudi authorities had confirmed to him that they have implemented strict measures to prevent Saudi funds reaching the terrorist network. "The Kingdom has taken firm action and implemented strict measures to prevent donations for charitable institutions being used for terrorist financing, and is cooperating intensively with the U.S., Interpol and British Intelligence to monitor money laundering, charitable donations and to engage in informational exchange," he concluded. Meanwhile in Cairo the security services have managed to clear the mystery shrouding the recent terrorist blasts in Taba and Nuweiba on October 7, in which 34 were killed, including 13 Egyptians and 10 Israelis. The Egyptian Interior Ministry, in a statement, indicated that the security agencies unraveled the mystery enveloping the blast. The perpetrator is a Palestinian national named Iyad Saeed Saleh, who was living in the nearby city of Al Arish, together with other accomplices. He was killed in the blast. The blast came in response to the deteriorating situation in the Palestinian territories, added the statement. Saleh, who was a driver, had prepared the ground for carrying out the blast with his accomplices by stealing three cars and equipping them with explosives, that are remnants of war in the Egyptian Sinai Peninsula. He used conventional bomb timers that are available on the market, read the statement. According to the ministry's statement, the Egyptian security agencies managed to track down those who collaborated in arranging and carrying out the blast. They include three infamous Bedouins from Sinai, Suleyman Ahmed Saleh, who was killed in the blast, Mohammed Ahmed Saleh, a brother of Suleyman, and Hamad Gomaa Gomaa, added the statement. Those who took part in arranging for the blast were also arrested. They include Mohammed Ahmed Al Swerki, a dealer in stolen cars who lives in Al Arish, Ihab Mahmoud Eid, a worker also living in Al Arish, Hemdan Salama Salem, a Bedouin from South Sinai, Mohammed Sabah Hussein, from North Sinai and Mohammed Abdullah Suleyman who lives in Al Arish and an owner of a lathing workshop. The ministry confirmed that the blast was not a suicide operation as the Palestinian national Iyad Saleh and the Bedouin Suleyman Ahmed Saleh were killed while trying to escape the scene of the blast because of a mistake in setting the timer of the explosives. They were identified by DNA testing. All arrested are now being interrogated and the Egyptian security agencies are still man-hunting those who are still at large, according to the statements. |
|||||
