Modon Holding posts AED 2.1bn net profit in H1 2025    Egypt's Electricity Ministry says new power cable for Giza area operational    Egypt exports first high-tech potato seeds to Uzbekistan after opening market    Egypt's Al-Sisi, Italian defence minister discuss Gaza, security cooperation    Egypt's FM discusses Gaza, Nile dam with US senators    Aid airdrops intensify as famine deepens in Gaza amid mounting international criticism    Health minister showcases AI's impact on healthcare at Huawei Cloud Summit    On anti-trafficking day, Egypt's PM calls fight a 'moral and humanitarian duty'    Federal Reserve maintains interest rates    Egypt strengthens healthcare partnerships to enhance maternity, multiple sclerosis, and stroke care    Egypt keeps Gaza aid flowing, total tops 533,000 tons: minister    Indian Embassy to launch cultural festival in Assiut, film fest in Cairo    Egyptian aid convoy heads toward Gaza as humanitarian crisis deepens    Culture minister launches national plan to revive film industry, modernise cinematic assets    Sudan's ambassador to Egypt holds reconstruction talks on with Arab League    I won't trade my identity to please market: Douzi    Sisi calls for boosting oil & gas investment to ease import burden    Egypt welcomes 25-nation statement urging end to Gaza war    Sisi sends letter to Nigerian president affirming strategic ties    Egypt, Senegal sign pharma MoU to unify regulatory standards    Two militants killed in foiled plot to revive 'Hasm' operations: Interior ministry    Egypt, Somalia discuss closer environmental cooperation    58 days that exposed IMF's contradictions on Egypt    Egypt's EHA, Huawei discuss enhanced digital health    Foreign, housing ministers discuss Egypt's role in African development push    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    Three ancient rock-cut tombs discovered in Aswan    Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara    Egypt's Irrigation Minister urges scientific cooperation to tackle water scarcity    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Egypt's Interior Minister appoints a new Security Director in Sinai
Published in Arab News Agency on 05 - 11 - 2012

Policemen in Sinai ended their protests around Al-Arish Security Directorate on Sunday, after Interior Minister Ahmed Gamal El-Din sacked North Sinai Security Director General Major Ahmed Bakr, and appointed his deputy, General Major Samih Ahmed Bashady, in his place.
“Bashady is a good guy, we've known him ever since the 25 January revolution, and he always stood by us,” a low-ranking policeman and protester in North Sinai who preferred to remain anonymous told Egypt Independent.
The policemen had been protesting since Saturday, saying that they have been left without protection to face militants' attacks.
The protesting low-ranking policeman complained that policemen in North Sinai weren't involved in security plans to confront militants and protect the governorate.
“We find ourselves paralyzed in front of crimes and terrorist attacks because we don't get orders from our superiors to get involved and we are not equipped,” he said.
The move came following the killing of three policemen and the injury of a fourth in an attack by gunmen on a police patrol in North Sinai's capital of Arish on Saturday.
North Sinai's tribal leaders agreed, saying President Mohamed Morsy must issue a decree to shut down the smuggling tunnels on the Rafah border between Egypt and Gaza, increase security forces in North Sinai and give them the jurisdiction to stand up against crime and militancy.
The tribal leaders expected to meet the defense and interior ministers, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Ahmed Gamal Eddin, when the two visited North Sinai on Sunday to inspect its security situation. However, they were outraged to find out that the two ministers abruptly left the governorate before meeting them.
“We were invited to the headquarters of North Sinai Governorate to sit down with the interior and defense ministers, but we were surprised that they didn't come,” said Aaref Abu Ekr, head of the Kour tribe in North Sinai.
They ended up meeting with Abdel Fattah Harhour, a former general who was recently appointed governor by President Morsy, and an official from the Defense Ministry.
Abu Ekr said they were told that the ministers were summoned by Morsy, but that didn't ease their anger.
Tribal leaders, however, weren't impressed with the appointment of Bashady.
“It doesn't matter who the security director is, what matters is his jurisdiction and increasing security in North Sinai,” he said, adding that this could only be done through a presidential decree.
The security situation has deteriorated in North Sinai ever since the 25 January revolt that toppled former President Hosni Mubarak.
There have been several militant attacks in the governorate. The most deadly took place in August, when 16 policemen were shot dead by armed assailants at a checkpoint near Rafah.
Many political powers have blamed the 1979 peace treaty between Egypt and Israel for the lack of security in North Sinai. The treaty restricts the Egyptian military presence in the governorate.
When the military launched an operation in August to purge criminal and militant strongholds, it insisted that it wasn't in violation of the Camp David Accords. Armed Forces media spokesperson Colonel Ahmed Mohamed Ali said in September that the operation was a success. He claimed that it discovered and destroyed 31 tunnels, killed 32 “criminal elements” and wounded one, and confiscated a large number of weapons.
He added that the government has allocated LE1.65 billion for development in Sinai.
Abu Ekr, however, said that the operation went well for around a month but after that security deteriorated once again.
Meanwhile, a group of revolutionary youths ended a sit-in Sunday near the North Sinai governorate building after Bashady's appointment.
“We have a meeting with the governor and the new North Sinai director to talk about the security situation in Sinai,” North Sinai activist Khaled Saad said.
“Our main demand is achieving strong security in Sinai,” he added.


Clic here to read the story from its source.