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| Terror Networks & Islam |
| Al-Qaeda's shadow hangs over Egypt and UK |
| 2005-07-24 |
| THE evil shadow of terrorism cast its dark light across the world last night, with a series of bomb attacks in Egypt killing at least 83 and injuring more than 200. An al-Qaeda-linked group has claimed it was responsible for the multiple bombings in the Red Sea tourist resort of Sharm el-Sheikh. Thirty-five of the injured, 23 of them in a critical condition, have been taken to Cairo for treatment. At least three bomb blasts ripped through the luxury Ghazala Gardens Hotel in Naama Bay, a nearby car park and a busy market shortly before 1am. In the most devastating of the strikes, a suicide bomber rammed his car through a security barrier and into the lobby of the hotel, killing at least 30, mostly Egyptian staff. Guests were feared to have been trapped in the rubble. Along with Egyptians, the dead or wounded include 13 Italians, five Britons, French, Spaniards, Dutch, Saudis, Qataris, Kuwaitis and other nationalities, police said. Two Australians were among the survivors. It is not known if there were any Australian fatalities. Yesterday's attack was the worst on a tourist area of Egypt since 58 tourists were killed at an ancient temple near Luxor in 1997. The explosion turned cars into skeletons of twisted metal, blew down masonry on nearby buildings and shattered windows for hundreds of metres around. US Secretary of State Condol- eezza Rice led international condemnation of the bombings. "I condemn the horrific terrorist bombings in Sharm el-Sheikh," she said. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and innocent victims from many nations who suffered in this senseless attack." United Nations secretary-general Kofi Annan expressed his "sorrow and anger" at the bombings. In London, police engaged in one of the biggest manhunts in British history arrested a second man last night in relation to last week's failed bomb attacks. Scotland Yard said the man had been arrested in Stockwell, the south London neighbourhood where another suspect was detained yesterday and a man was shot dead by police in a railway station. The first suspect, who has not been named, was being questioned at a high-security police station. Hundreds of armed officers conducted raids across a city haunted by the echoes of 24-hour sirens. The search for the four suspects follows revelations that the man shot dead in front of horrified passengers on the London Underground was not one of the men wanted for last Thursday's failed attempt to repeat the July 7 bombings, which killed 56 commuters. London's Metropolitan Police expressed their "deep regret" for the shooting of the unidentified man. It was confirmed that the dead man was not one of the bombers on the run, but senior police stressed that he had been a potential threat. The dead man was wearing a thick blue overcoat on a warm, sultry summer day, and that probably signed his death warrant. No bomb was found on the man's body, although one witness claimed to have seen wires coming from the overcoat. As Britons began to fear their country might be in for a sustained series of attacks, London police chief Sir Ian Blair said his force faced the greatest operational challenge in its history. "This is a very, very fast-moving investigation," Sir Ian said. "We are facing previously unknown threats and great danger." There are now fears the terrorist cell or cells are far more extensive than initially believed. Yesterday, investigators were checking hundreds of telephone numbers linked to the bombers. Forensic investigations have confirmed the link between Thursday's failed bombing and those on July 7. In London, Prime Minister John Howard said Australia's Islamic leaders must do more to stamp out extremism and intolerance within their communities. Mr Howard said he was happy to hold a summit with Australian Islamic leaders, but only on the basis "that we are talking as Australians together". |
| Posted by:Dan Darling |
| #3 Was that shadow or Spectre? If the latter my mouthpiece will be in touch. |
| Posted by: Karl 2005-07-24 19:08 |
| #2 lie down with dogs... |
| Posted by: Frank G 2005-07-24 11:51 |
| #1 How come such good friends of "palestinian People" as Egypt and UK have to fear Islamic terrorism? |
| Posted by: gromgorru 2005-07-24 09:18 |