North Sinai Security Chief: We're chasing ghosts in Sinai
DPA Sat, 10/11/2012 - 17:38
http://www.egyptindependent.com/news/north-sinai-security-chief-we-re-chasing-ghosts-sinai

Commenting on the difficulty security forces are facing in tracking down
militants in Sinai, North Sinai Security Chief Sameeh Ahmed Beshady said,
"We are fighting ghosts," during a meeting with political and community
leaders in Arish Saturday.

Beshady added that security is improving in the region, but emphasized that
there is need for collecting more information. He added that two suspected
jihadis were arrested in Sinai last week, and that intense security
campaigns would once again be launched after reinforcements arrived in the
region.

Beshady also denied reports that a Palestinian jihadi was arrested sneaking
into the country via underground tunnels at the border with Gaza, telling
DPA that one of those arrested was a fugitive who had been sentenced to life
in prison. He added that there are no tunnel openings in Arish, which is
located about 45 kilometers away from the border with Gaza.

An Egyptian daily paper had reported that Egyptian security forces arrested
a Palestinian jihadi while he was using a border tunnel and added that he
carried a handwritten message from Ayman al-Zawahiri to a jihadi cell in
Sinai.

Beshady was appointed security chief last week to succeed Major General
Ahmed Bakr, the former chief, following the killing of three policemen in
Arish.

Edited translation from DPA