Monday, 4 June 2012

Israel intensifies border security after Mubarak verdict, sources say

Sunday, June 3, 2012 12:20 PM
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Israel intensifies border security after Mubarak verdict, sources say

Al-Masry Al-Youm Sun, 03/06/2012 - 16:15



Israel has intensified security on its border with Egypt for the first time 
after verdicts were issued in the Mubarak trial yesterday, security sources 
in Sinai told Al-Masry Al-Youm.

Eyewitnesses at the border area said the presence of Israeli armored 
vehicles and border patrols has increased markedly over the past two days 
due to terrorism fears.

The sources denied that Egypt had deployed forces on its borders and said 
everything was normal.

On Saturday, Mubarak and his longtime interior minister, Habib al-Adly, were 
given life sentences for failing to stop the killing of protesters during 
the 25 January uprising. The court cleared six high-ranking Interior 
Ministry officials of the same charges, and acquitted Mubarak’s sons Alaa 
and Gamal of financial corruption charges.

After the eruption of the 25 January revolution, Israeli fears over its 
relationship with Egypt and the Camp David Accords grew in light of the 
increasing prominence of Islamists in Egypt.

In an interview with Israeli TV on Saturday, Knesset member Benjamin 
Ben-Eliezer expressed disappointment over the court ruling and said he 
expected the court to sympathize with Israel.

He also added that Mubarak’s efforts over the past 30 years to keep 
stability in the Middle East was important, not because of Mubarak’s 
position as president of Egypt, but for his wisdom and deep knowledge of the 
Middle East.

“Whoever knew Mubarak closely would know that Middle East will not be the 
same. It makes me disappointed that the change is not toward the best,” he 
said.

Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm 

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