Egypt parliament warns of heavily armed Beduin

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
The Egyptian parliament's defense committee says the situation at the border with Israel is dangerous because of heavily armed Beduin and police inability to control smuggling tunnels. The state-owned Al-Gomhuria daily, in its early Wednesday edition, said committee members warned parliament of increased smuggling operations through the tunnels and the unrestricted spread of weapons among the Beduin. The committee which visited northern Sinai after last week's violent clashes between angry Bedouin and police said the situation "threatens Egypt's national security at the borders with Israel." The clashes flared last week after police killed a Beduin smuggler. Three more Bedouin died in the subsequent fighting.