'Egypt arrests 16 for involvement in pipeline explosions'

Suspects detained in connection with repeated attacks on gas line between Egypt, Israel and Jordan since overthrow of Mubarak.

By JPOST.COM STAFF, REUTERS
Egypt Pipeline Explosion 311 (photo credit: REUTERS)
Egypt Pipeline Explosion 311
(photo credit: REUTERS)
Egyptian security forces arrested 16 suspects for alleged involvement in repeated attacks on the gas pipeline between Egypt, Israel and Jordan, a security source said according to DPA.
According to the report, the Egyptian head of security in northern Sinai said that "the search for suspects began Saturday with police and the army deployed in Sinai."
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Saboteurs blew up the gas pipeline on Thursday morning using remote controlled explosive bombs forcing a shutdown in the flow of gas, Egyptian security sources said.
The blast, the seventh this year and the first since pumping was resumed on 24 October, was near the Mazar area, 30 km (18 miles) west of the town of El-Arish.
The pipeline has been a target for attacks by anonymous saboteurs since the overthrow of former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak in February, although the first pipeline attack took place days before he was ousted by an uprising.
Egypt and Israel have signed a 20-year natural gas deal by which Egypt would export gas to its neighbor. The deal was unpopular with the Egyptian public and critics argued the Jewish state had been offered gas at prices that were too low.