CAIRO — Egypt is reviewing plans calling for a massive
development of the Sinai as part of a strategy to counter insurgency
activity in the peninsula.
Egyptian government sources said President Hosni Mubarak planned to
launch a project that would develop central and western Sinai to prevent the
area from becoming a haven for Al Qaida insurgents. Under the proposal, the
development would bring both Egyptians from the African mainland as well as
a bolstered police presence in Sinai.
A former senior Egyptian official said the government must develop
industry and tourism in Sinai in an effort to restore control over the
peninsula. Fuad Allam, a former deputy interior minister, said the
construction of communities in Sinai would hamper the freedom of movement
enjoyed by insurgents, Middle East Newsline reported.
Sinai comprises 61,000 square kilometers, or six
percent of Egypt.
Allam, regarded as a counter-insurgency expert, said security forces
have been struggling in eliminating the Al Qaida-aligned presence in Sinai.
He pointed to the mountains of central and eastern Sinai, which provide
haven for operatives.
Sinai has been rocked by two major bombings in less than a year. The
last one was in July 2005 when at least 64 people were killed in the Red Sea
resort of Sharm e-Sheik.
In late 2005, about 6,000 Egyptian security forces combed the mountains
of central and southern Sinai for suspects in the Sharm suicide strikes.
Officials said most of the planners of the bombings were believed to have
been captured or identified.
The proposal to develop the Sinai would also be designed for the
Bedouins in the region. Government sources said Bedouin tribes who cooperate
against insurgents would be rewarded with a share of thedevelopment
projects, including jobs.
