Egyptians are expressing anger and sorrow two days after gumen killed more than 60 people outside a temple in the Southern part of the country. Many tour companies are pulling their clients out of Luxor, the scene of the massacre and Egypt's most popular tour destination. Barbara Plett reports from Luxor.
"On the streets there is sadness and anger at the militants who so brutally slaughtered scores of helpless people. The first signs of an economic slump also have the locals worried. At a popular temple this morning shopkeepers said the number of visitors was down by about 75%. The tourist bazaar was eerily quiet and store owners could only say they hoped business would pick up soon; but one of them said Egyptians are upset by more than the blow to their livelihood.
'Believe me we feel sorry for every person who was killed as if he was a brother or a son or a father, you know. Because we think that they are our guests here and Egyptians naturally they love their guests. And believe me that's against Islam.'
Shopkeepers unfurled several giant banners expressing the sorrow and determination of the workers at the bazaar. 'The blood of our guests in the land of Luxor is the blood of millions of Egyptians', said one. 'No, no, and thousands of times No to terrorism', says another. The shopkeepers said they and other Luxor residents planned to march to Hatshepsut Temple this afternoon to lay flowers in memory of the victims and quietly some of them also said that security guards had not been diligent enough, that there hadn't been enough police at the site. But they added that's because the militants had never struck in Luxor before, things will change now. President Mubarak has promised to tighten security."