Egypt tribes back Sinai offensive
10 Aug 2012 05:21:20 PM Friday BdST
International Desk
banglanews24.com
DHAKA: Bedouin tribal leaders in Egypt`s Sinai peninsula have agreed to help restore security in the lawless border area with the Gaza Strip and Israel.
In talks with Interior Minister Ahmed Gamal al-Din, they also backed plans to destroy smuggling tunnels into Gaza.
The move comes as Egyptian troops mass in the area in an operation to contain Islamist militants who have built up a presence in the area.
The militants are suspected of killing 16 Egyptian border guards on Sunday.
Egypt has deployed extra troops, tanks and other armoured vehicles.
On Friday, Egypt`s state-run Nile TV said nine "terrorists" had been arrested in the region.
Source: BBC
BDST: 1710 HRS, AUG 10, 2012
AKA