Egypt bomb kills 17 at Alexandria Coptic church

[irishspirit]

At least 17 people have been killed at a church in the Egyptian city of Alexandria in an explosion blamed on a suicide bomber with foreign links.

At least 43 people were wounded in the attack. It happened as worshippers were leaving a new year's service at the al-Qidiseen church shortly after midnight.

Coptic Christians and Muslims clashed after the attack, but police moved in and used tear gas to restore order.

President Hosni Mubarak urged Egyptians to unite against "terrorism".

In a televised statement he blamed "foreign hands" for the bombing. "Wicked terrorists targeted the nation, Copts and Muslims," he said.

"It is a terrorist operation that is alien to us... We will all cut off the head of the snake, confront terrorism and defeat it."

Earlier, authorities said the attack was caused by a car bomb.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12101748

[noxon medem]

found this image in NRK, norwegian media.
- death estimate rised to 21.
http://www.nrk.no/nyheter/verden/1.7445457

3611

- enough blood now ?
Some cultures obviously are
on a different calender, an have
not yet entered the new year of peace.

[irishspirit]

Egyptian lawyers blame Israel for church bombing

Counselors tell rally attack was Mossad reaction to uncovered spy ring; Egyptian authorities point towards al-Qaida involvement.
Talkbacks (3)

A coalition of Egyptian lawyers accused Israel of being behind an terror attack in Alexandria that killed 22 members of the Christian Copt sect attending midnight mass on New Year's eve, Army Radio reported Monday.

"The Mossad carried out the the operation in a natural reaction to the latest uncovering of an Israeli espionage network," the lawyers accused at a rally in memory of the victims, organized by the Egyptian Bar Association, according to the report.

http://www.jpost.com/MiddleEast/Article.aspx?id=202019