Text of report by the Egyptian news agency MENA

In his meeting with the press and in reply to correspondents' questions, President Husni Mubarak has expressed his deep regret over the criminal incident that targeted innocent foreigners and Egyptians.

The President said that those who perpetrated this incident were criminals and killers because Islam is innocent of killing and the shedding of blood and that all faiths - Islam, Christianity and Judaism - reject the killing of humans.

He added that the incident, which was the first of its kind in Luxor, does not mean that it is not a safe area.

We will, he said, take the most stringent and extensive security measures that will provide full protection for the archaeological sites and tourists visiting them.

President Mubarak said that violent acts are taking place indiscriminately in many parts of the world, acts that claim the lives of victims in many countries.

President Mubarak strongly criticised the protection plans and measures, pointing out a number of loopholes while being briefed on the incident. He called on the Prime Minister and the Interior Minister to draw up firmer security policies.

In his replies, he told foreign correspondents: Security measures will be applied that will provide safety and security to the sites frequented by tourists.

When asked about these measures the President said that these cannot be talked about publicly.

The President said that the sons of Luxor who were on the western bank manifested the epitome of nationalism.

They climbed the hills and pointed out the places where the criminals were. They guided the policemen to the places the criminals fled to and joined in chasing them. They were thus defending their country.

In reply to a question on what message he wants to address to the families of the victims, President Mubarak said:

We deeply regret this criminal act that took place on Egyptian soil. He expressed his deep sorrow and said he considers these victims his brothers and sons.

He voiced his heartfelt condolences to their families and said the perpetrators were criminals and killers who met their fate.

President Mubarak issued instructions merging the tourism and archaeological police forces under one command and repealing the division. He also instructed that an organisational structure be set up that achieves efficient and disciplined performance.

Source: MENA news agency, Cairo, in Arabic 1130 gmt 18 Nov 97

Mubarak orders detailed report on Luxor attack

Text of report by Egyptian radio

The ruins at Luxor: attack scene

President Husni Mubarak has instructed Prime Minister Dr Kamal al-Janzuri to study all aspects and circumstances, identify those responsible, and present accurate details of the criminal attack in Luxor to the president within 24 hours.

This came at a meeting President Mubarak held last night at the presidential office.

It was attended by Prime Minister Dr Janzuri; Dr Yusuf Wali, Deputy Prime Minister and Agriculture Minister; Defence Minister Field Marshal Husayn Tantawi; Information Minister Safwat al-Sharif; Dr Usamah al-Baz, President Mubarak's political adviser; and Dr Zakariya Azmi, head of the president's office.

Safwat al-Sharif said after the meeting that President Mubarak reviewed the detailed report presented by the Prime Minister and discussed the immediate measures taken by all the state's establishments immediately after the criminal incident in which an evil group targeted innocent people with the aim of harming the Egyptian people.

President Mubarak also issued instructions that immediate measures be taken quickly to transport the bodies of the victims to Cairo and then to their countries without delay.

Attack victim

Prime Minister Dr Kamal al-Janzuri earlier held a meeting at the cabinet office to discuss various aspects of the criminal attack. The meeting was attended by the Deputy Prime Minister and Agriculture Minister and the Ministers of Defence, Transport, Communications, Information, Foreign Affairs, Culture, and Cabinet Affairs.

Information Minister Sharif said that those present followed up the details and circumstances of the criminal incident and the measures taken since it happened. A report from the assistant interior minister pointed out the following facts:

• All six perpetrators of the terrorist attack were killed by the security forces with the help of people in the area.

• Twenty-five people were injured. Sixteen were of various nationalities. Nine Egyptian civilians and policemen were injured.

• Checks showed that the random fire in Hawd al-Dayr al-Bahri killed 60 people of various foreign nationalities in addition to four Egyptians, including two policemen.

• All the injured were immediately evacuated to Kurnah Hospital on the west bank and Luxor Hospital for first aid and urgent surgery. Specially equipped armed forces' planes evacuated the injured to Ma'adi Military Hospital and the specialist Ayn Shams Hospital for further treatment.
• A specially equipped plane flew to Luxor to transport the bodies of the victims to Cairo in preparation for their immediate transport to their countries.

BBC Monitoring (http://www.monitor.bbc.co.uk), based in Caversham in southern England, selects and translates information from radio, television, press, news agencies and the Internet from 150 countries in more than 70 languages.
 

Back to top | BBC News Home | BBC Homepage	©