Sisi: Egypt to do the utmost to catch culprits behind Palm Sunday attacks

Egypt will exert maximum effort to catch those involved in the Palm Sunday church bombings, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi told Coptic Orthodox Pope Tawadros II during a Thursday meeting at the Saint Mark’s Orthodox Cathedral in Cairo, presidency spokesman Alaa Youssef said in a statement.

Sisi said that Egypt is determined in its fight against terrorism, adding that he is confident that Egyptians are aware of who is behind terrorism in the country and their intentions to divide the nation and undermine its development.

Pope Tawadros II stressed that terrorism would not succeed in dividing Egyptians, adding that only harmony and love can ensure the safety of Egypt.

Last Sunday, two blasts ripped through Alexandria’s St Mark’s Cathedral and Tanta’s Mar Girgis Cathedral in the deadliest attack on civilians in the country’s recent memory.

The Islamic State in Egypt has claimed responsibility for the attacks.

On Wednesday, Egypt’s Ministry of Interior identified the Alexandria bomber as 30-year-old Mahmoud Hassan Mubarak Abdallah.

The ministry added that efforts are underway to identify the Tanta bomber.

Egypt imposed a nationwide three-month state of emergency after the attacks.

Source: Ahram online