Special to WorldTribune.com

CAIRO — Egypt’s new government has pledged to maintain its focus on battling the Islamic revolt.

Officials said the new government of Prime Minister Ibrahim Mehleb would sustain the offensive against the revolt in the Sinai Peninsula and African mainland.

The officials said the government has determined that the intelligence community and security forces were making steady gains in capturing or killing leading Islamic fighters.

“I pledge to impose security, combat terrorism, while preserving human rights,” Mehleb said.

In a televised address on March 2, Mehleb pledged to maintain the counter-insurgency campaign throughout Egypt.

The premier, a former housing minister, said the campaign, linked to neighboring Libya and Sudan, must be supported by the Arab League and other regional allies.

“Egypt is waging a battle against terrorism in the interests of the entire Arab region,” Mehleb said.

Officials have linked the revolt to the ousted Muslim Brotherhood and Al
Qaida. On March 1, the Egyptian military and police launched raids in
northeastern Sinai in which at least 10 suspected insurgents were killed.

“A dangerous terrorist was also arrested,” Egyptian military spokesman
Col. Ahmed Ali, who did not elaborate, said.

The latest Cabinet kept senior members, including Defense Minister
Abdul Fatah Sisi and Interior Minister Mohammed Ibrahim. The two ministers
were said to have been coordinating in army-police CI operations, several of
which were marred by disputes between commanders. On March 2, a brawl
erupted between army and police officers outside a Cairo police station.

“An internal investigation has been ordered,” an official said.

  Abdul Fatah Sisi, Ibrahim Mehleb, New Egyptian PM vows to fight terror in ‘interests of the entire Arab region’, Sinai Peninsula