al-Musawar: Egypt: 23 persons having links to al-Qaida, arrested

The Egyptian minister of the interior Habib El-Adli has announced that the Egyptian authorities arrested 23 persons over suspection of being linked to al-Qaida organization and their preparations to carry out preparations against the American forces in Iraq and Palestine.

Al-Adeli told the Egyptian al-Musawar magazine that most of the detainees are Egyptians and were arrested during the two past weeks, noting they are affected by the literature of al-Qaida organization, and were planning to take part in military operations against the American forces in Iraq, Afghanistan and other areas like Palestine, Bangladesh, Burma, Daghistan and Iran in case they are exposed to an American invasion.

The list of the detainees includes 19 Egyptians and three from Bangladesh, Turkey and Indonesia. Al-Adeli said that the organization was acting according to tough security orders and by using false passports and IDs.

Al-Adeli announced that the Egyptian authorities released "1000 redeemed members of the armed Islamic group which gave up violence and realized that they are mistaken."