SINAI, Egypt: South Sinai Governor Maj. Gen. Khalid Fouda said Sinai is completely safe, adding that there is no truth to reports that there is a state of lawlessness on Egypt's eastern borders. Fouda told Youm7 he agrees with Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi, head of Egypt's ruling military council, who said the security situation in the Sinai Peninsula is 100 percent secure. Fouda said the Egyptian forces currently deployed are going a good job of protecting Egypt's borders and will be increased if necessary. Fouda said the prisoner exchange of Israeli-U.S. citizen Ilan Grapel, accused of being a spy, for 25 Egyptian prisoners on Thursday represents Egypt's high position in the region and its credibility. He stressed at the same time that the deal was extremely fair and that any opportunity available should be taken to release the rest of Egyptian prisoners in Israel. There are 56 Egyptian prisoners still in Israeli prisons. He added that recently released prisoners "are our countrymen and we will give them all the assistance they require. They will be taken to security centers to get ID cards issued as well as to health departments to have the health insurance cards issued and we will give them financial assistance."
