Barak: Egypt clearly trying to control Sinai terror

Defense minister says Israel must respect Morsy's efforts to free Peninsula from terror; Ayalon expects improved ties with Egypt.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
DEFENSE MINISTER Ehud Barak 370 (photo credit: REUTERS)
DEFENSE MINISTER Ehud Barak 370
(photo credit: REUTERS)
It is clear that Egypt is trying to gain control over terrorism in Sinai, and Israel must respect and allow this attempt, Defense Minister Ehud Barak told Army Radio on Thursday.
Responding to Egyptian President Mohamed Morsy’s announcement that he is interested in renewing his county’s nuclear program to produce electricity, Barak said: “Many countries in the world have nuclear reactors for peaceful purposes. The problem is when a country decides that, under this cover, it will begin an effort to obtain nuclear weapons. This is a very serious situation, but we have no indication that Egypt is there.”
Earlier Thursday morning, Army Radio reported that a special security order is expected to ban citizens from approaching the Israeli-Egyptian border at a distance of 300 meters. Barak said that if such an order is needed, then such an order will be made.
“The state needs to defend itself effectively,” he added.