CAIRO (AA) – Egyptian Defense Minister Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi reiterated his confidence on Thursday in the ability of the army and police to uproot criminals and confront terrorists.
In a message to Interior Minister Mohamed Ibrahim after a failed attempt on the latter's life, al-Sisi said: "The army command supports the police in their fight against crime and outlaws in an effort to restore stability and security in Egypt."
The army chief strongly condemned "the sinful attempt by terrorist elements to assassinate the interior minister."
He stressed that such "treacherous" attempts would fail to demoralize "our heroic men." Rather, he said, "they will strengthen their resolve."
On Thursday morning, the interior minister survived a failed attempt on his life.
A security source said that at least one explosive charge had gone off under the minister's bulletproofed car.
The Interior Ministry has yet to reveal details of the failed attack.
The Health Ministry said that around 22 people had been injured in the blast, although no fatalities were reported.
No group has yet claimed responsibility for the incident.
Ibrahim, for his part, does not rule out the possible involvement of "foreign" parties in the assassination attempt – in coordination, he said, with domestic groups – with the aim of "triggering a state of terrorism."
