Egypt keeps security tight after bombing

A state of emergency was in force in parts of Egypt's Sinai Peninsula on Sunday after a suicide bombing by a suspected jihadist that killed 30 soldiers, which President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said was carried out with "external support".

Friday's suicide attack was the deadliest on Egyptian security forces since the army deposed Islamist president Mohammed Morsi last year, to the fury of his supporters.

The state of emergency in the north and center of Sinai will remain in place for three months, the president's office said.

A curfew is in force from 5 pm to 7 am.

Egypt also announced it would close the Rafah crossing into the Gaza Strip, the only entry to the Palestinian territory not controlled by Israel.

Witnesses said that new security checkpoints were erected in Rafah and the north Sinai town of Sheikh Zuweid.

"The army and police will take all necessary measures to tackle the dangers of terrorism and its financing, to preserve the security of the region ... and protect the lives of citizens," a presidential decree said.

Despite killing or arresting many militants, the army has so far been unable to eradicate them in a massive operation involving attack helicopters and tanks.

The military launched fresh airstrikes on Saturday in northern Sinai, killing eight suspected militants, security officials said.

Sisi, the army chief who toppled Morsi and was later elected head of state, chaired a meeting of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces on Saturday.

After the meeting, the president said Friday's attack was carried out with "external support" in order to "break the will of the Egyptian people and army."

"A committee comprising senior army officials was formed to examine the latest terrorist attacks in Sinai ... in order to reinforce the struggle against terrorism," a statement said.

And the government announced a bill that will bring under the jurisdiction of military tribunals "matters of terrorism ... linked to attacks on army and police installations and personnel, as well as vandalism and the blocking of roads."

The European Union and the United States both denounced the latest incident, with the US State Department saying "a prosperous and dynamic Egypt requires an environment of security and stability."

(China Daily 10/27/2014 page12)