World War II mines still hinder development in Egypt's Northern Coast

Over the past 50 years some 7,300 incidents, including 700 fatalities occurred as a result of the millions of anti-personnel landmines planted in the northwest coast of Egypt by countries who had fought in the Second World War.

Ahmed EL Darsh, Minister of Planning and State for International Cooperation, made statements on the sidelines of the national conference on the impact of the landmines on the development drive in the northwest coast.

Darsh said that half a million feddans in the area could have been put to good use during all those past years had it not been for the deadly devices lurking in the sand to kill or maim.

"Within four months from now the national committee on removing landmines from the northwest coast will be ready with a comprehensive plan in this respect, "he said.

"Of the 21 million landmines planted in Alamein and Qattara Depression, some 3 million mines have been cleared, through cooperation with the US and other friendly countries, "Darsh said.