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President condemns bombings in Egypt

(China Daily)
Updated: 2006-04-26 06:25

President Hu Jintao yesterday condemned the explosions in Egypt's Red Sea resort of Dahab, and offered condolences to families of the victims and sympathy to the wounded.

Egyptian police arrested 10 people after a triple bomb attack early yesterday morning (Beijing time) ripped apart a Sinai beach resort at the height of Egypt's tourist season, killing at least 24 people and injuring more than 80 .

It was the third terror strike on a Sinai resort in less than two years.

In the message to Egyptian President Muhammed Hosni Mubarak, Hu said the Chinese Government strongly opposed all kinds of terrorism.

China is ready to strengthen co-operation with the international community including Egypt, to battle terrorism and safeguard world peace and stability, Hu said.

He sent the condolence message during his state visit to Morocco.

The Chinese Embassy in Cairo issued a warning yesterday to Chinese travellers in Egypt and those who plan to visit, asking them to be vigilant and contact the embassy in case of emergency.

The embassy is closely monitoring the situation and there has been no report of any Chinese casualties.

The Egyptian police said they did not yet know if the explosions timed for maximum destruction in a promenade of bars, restaurants and shops in the early evening were caused by suicide bombers or bombs on timers.

"The theory is not clear yet," Cabinet spokesman Magdy Rady said.

The blasts were so powerful that police divers worked yesterday morning to retrieve body parts from the shallow waters of the sea, as workers swept shards of glass from the streets.

Interior Minister Habib el-Adly put the death toll at 23, including 20 Egyptians and three foreigners. But Sinai hospital officials said yesterday that an Egyptian man had died of his wounds, bringing the toll to 24.

Dr Hazem Ahmed of Sharm el-Sheik Hospital said 85 people were wounded. His hospital had admitted 10 foreign patients.

China Daily - Agencies

(China Daily 04/26/2006 page1)