Egypt, S.Arabia step up trade ties through coordination council talks    Egypt reviews progress on $200m World Bank-funded waste management hub    Egypt urges Israel to accept Gaza deal amid intensifying fighting    SCZONE showcases investment opportunities to eight Japanese companies    Egypt, ADIB explore strategic partnership in digital healthcare, investment    SCZONE, Tokyo Metropolitan Government sign MoU on green hydrogen cooperation    Egypt welcomes international efforts for peace in Ukraine    Al-Sisi, Macron reaffirm strategic partnership, coordinate on Gaza crisis    Contact Reports Strong 1H-2025 on Financing, Insurance Gains    Egypt, India's BDR Group in talks to establish biologics, cancer drug facility    AUC graduates first cohort of film industry business certificate    Egyptian pound down vs. US dollar at Monday's close – CBE    Egypt's FM, Palestinian PM visit Rafah crossing to review Gaza aid    Egypt prepares unified stance ahead of COP30 in Brazil    Egypt recovers collection of ancient artefacts from Netherlands    Egypt harvests 315,000 cubic metres of rainwater in Sinai as part of flash flood protection measures    Egypt, Namibia explore closer pharmaceutical cooperation    Fitch Ratings: ASEAN Islamic finance set to surpass $1t by 2026-end    Renowned Egyptian novelist Sonallah Ibrahim dies at 88    Egyptian, Ugandan Presidents open business forum to boost trade    Al-Sisi says any party thinking Egypt will neglect water rights is 'completely mistaken'    Egypt's Sisi warns against unilateral Nile measures, reaffirms Egypt's water security stance    Egypt's Sisi, Uganda's Museveni discuss boosting ties    Egypt, Huawei explore healthcare digital transformation cooperation    Egypt's Sisi, Sudan's Idris discuss strategic ties, stability    Egypt to inaugurate Grand Egyptian Museum on 1 November    Greco-Roman rock-cut tombs unearthed in Egypt's Aswan    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    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    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.



22-year-old suicide bomber behind Coptic church blast, other suspects arrested: Al-Sisi
Hundreds mourn victims in official state funeral and protests
Published in Daily News Egypt on 12 - 12 - 2016

A 22-year-old suicide bomber was behind Sunday's bombing of the St. Peter and St. Paul Church located inside Egypt's main Coptic Orthodox Cathedral in Cairo, President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi said Monday.
"The man who entered the church and blew himself up is named Mahmoud Shafiq Mohamed Mostafa. His body was found on site. He used an explosive belt," Al-Sisi said during a funeral organised by the state for the attack's 25 victims at the Unknown Soldier Monument.
He added that three men and a woman were arrested in connection with the attack, while two suspects are being searched for.
The president dismissed claims that security forces and officials should also be held accountable for the attack, arguing that much of the successful efforts in combating terrorism are not announced to the public, especially in North Sinai.
On Monday morning, Al-Sisi met leading security figures including Prime Minister Sherif Ismail, Defence Minister Sedki Sobhi, and Interior Minister Magdy Abdel Ghaffar to discuss security conditions following the attack.
According to a presidential statement, the aforementioned meeting included the presence of the heads of Military Intelligence and the National Security apparatus. During the meeting, Al-Sisi received a report on the circumstances of the attack and the results and evidence from preliminary investigations, in addition to efforts exerted by security apparatuses to arrest the perpetrators.
Al-Sisi said efforts must be doubled to quickly arrest the perpetrators and put them to trial, saying the state is determined to have revenge on the perpetrators, the presidency's statement read.
The president also discussed security conditions across Egypt and efforts exerted by security and army forces to counter terrorism, stressing that security apparatuses should be alert and ready to face any threats.
On Sunday morning, 25 people died and 49 others were injured in an explosion that rocked Cairo's St. Peter and St. Paul Church located in Abbasiya.
Meanwhile, hundreds of protestors staged demonstrations on Monday outside the St. Mary and St. Athanasius Coptic Orthodox church in Cairo's neighbourhood of Nasr City, in opposition to being denied entry to the funeral for the victims.
Only the victims' families who received official permissions were allowed to attend the funeral. The funeral was attended by the president and Pope Tawadros II, along with a number of public figures.
Clashes erupted between the protestors and security forces as the former were attempting to surpass security to attend the funeral. Security forces allegedly used tear gas to disperse the protestors.


Clic here to read the story from its source.