Maher probes security cooperation with US

Maher probed with the visiting FBI Director Robert Mueller a number of issues pertaining to security cooperation, exchange of information between the two countries and discussed matters concerning Egyptians held by the US authorities since September 11.

Emerging from the meeting, the US official said that they discussed the issue of those held in the United States, adding that there were strong justifications for their detention and that they enjoyed full rights according to the US law.

He affirmed that this issue does not pose a problem for the two countries in the future.

According to the FBI Director, those who were released asserted that they received good treatment and they understood the reasons behind such procedures taken by the FBI.

He added that he assured Maher that the United States is very keen that Muslim and Arab Americans would not be targeted for being Muslims, Arabs, Indians or Sikhs, asserting that FBI referred those responsible for such crimes to the courts.

He admitted that some individuals exploited the September 11 catastrophe to commit crimes against innocent people.

On the Egyptians who might be held at the U.S. naval base at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba, the US official said that US forces in Afghanistan cross-examine and interrogate individuals who are fighting along with Taliban to determine the persons who have relations with al-Qaeda and in case of having such connection they would be deported to the base to complete interrogations.

According to the FBI Director, his meeting with Maher and a number of officials in Egypt was designed to build on the current strong cooperation ground, which was set before September 11 and solidified later.

Cooperation and exchange of information with Egypt is not confined to terror combating worldwide but it includes also other issues such as Fried Shultz who will be tried for smuggling Egyptian antiquities.