President Mohamed Morsy visited Arish, the capital of North Sinai, today. State TV broadcast footage of the president performing Friday prayers in a mosque there alongside Defense Minister Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. Morsy's offical Facebook page said the president went to Arish with a number of ministers to take stock of the security situation in the area, and meet with tribal chiefs and political parties. "The visit also includes a meeting with the Christian families residing in Rafah in order to inspire confidence among them," the Facebook statement said. According to state TV, this is Morsy's third visit to North Sinai since he took office. Sources in North Sinai told Al-Masry Al-Youm on Thursday that the president's itinerary was modified due to the deteriorating security situation in Rafah. Security forces canceled the president's planned visit to the border cities of Sheikh Zuwaid and Rafah, limiting his trip to the city of Arish. The town was fully surrounded by a security cordon, and armored vehicles and war planes were also present, the sources added. The visit comes a week after media reports that Copts in Rafah fled to the nearby town of Arish after receiving death threats. Clergymen in Rafah have given conflicting reports about the incident, with some stating that nine Christian families had fled Rafah, and others denying the reports. In August, the Armed Forces launched a military crackdown in Sinai targeting militants who were reportedly involved in the killing of 16 soldiers that same month. There have been doubts regarding the effectiveness of the operation. Activists in North Sinai claim the operation has not achieved substantial results. The Armed Forces, however, say that the operation was successful and would continue until all the militant forces were uprooted.
