Egypt accuses foreign missions of smuggling in arms
By IANSMonday, February 7, 2011
Cairo, Feb 7 (IANS/RIA Novosti) The Egyptian foreign ministry has accused a number of diplomatic missions of attempting to smuggle weapons and special communication equipment into the country, the Youm7 web portal reported Monday.
The ministry alleged that in the past two weeks there have been repeated attempts to bring in weapons and special equipment in diplomatic bags, which are not usually inspected.
“Nevertheless, the corresponding agencies have seized all items that may not be brought into the country,” the ministry said.
It did not name the countries involved, nor did it specify the kind of weapons or special communications equipment they had attempted to smuggle in.
The unrest which began in Egypt Jan 25 has left some 300 people dead and caused massive damage to the North African state’s economy. Demonstrators are demanding the immediate resignation of President Hosni Mubarak, who has been in power for over three decades.
A number of countries have asked the Egyptian government for permission to use their own military units to protect their embassies, but all of their requests have been turned down.
–IANS/RIA Novosti
