CAIRO: The security situation in Sinai is “entirely an Egyptian affair,” read a statement from the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF), adding that Egypt “will not accept any foreign action, statements or opinions that interfere with Sinai's security.” The statement was cobbled together during a meeting with Egyptian Prime Minister Essam Sharaf, Head of the SCAF Hussein Tantawi, Ministry of Information Osama Heikal, Chief of Army Staff Sami Anan and various other ministers. The meeting was convened to discuss the continuing political and diplomatic fallout from recent incidents, including the death of five Egyptian security personnel at the hands of Israeli fighters, at the Israeli—Egyptian border. In the midst of the diplomatic crisis, the statement makes allusions to Israeli interference. Earlier, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak described attacks on Israeli passenger buses in Eilat as “acts of terrorism” that were partially caused by Egypt's inability to control security in Sinai. Barak apologized for the deaths of Egyptians at the border and initiated joint investigations of the incidents. Members of the SCAF described the apology as insufficient, and called for an investigation into the incidents so as to prevent a recurrence.
