Coptic businessman Naguib Sawiris announced he will give LE1 million to whoever can provide information about those responsible for the Alexandria church bombing which killed 22 persons on New Year's Eve. Whoever provides information that helps the security services arrest the bomber will receive the money, the state media quoted Sawiris as saying. According to reports, Sawiris called on Copts to be patient, explaining that “the crime's purpose is to create popular anger towards security.” Many protests have been staged across Egypt since Sunday condemning the church blast which took 22 lives and injured tens of others. Protesters also called on the government to provide Copts with higher security. On Monday evening, thousands of Copts blocked main roads linking the capital with other cities, threw stones at cars and set tires ablaze. Similar protests took place in Cairo, Alexandria, Qalyoubiya and Assiut. Police currently impose tighter security measures, especially near churches, as the eve of Coptic Christmas celebrations approaches on Thursday.
