From Deseret News archives:

Egypt, world seek answers

Death toll climbs to 88 in blasts; Mubarak vows to catch bombers

Published: Saturday, July 23, 2005 10:12 p.m. MDT
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In the wake of the October attacks, the Egyptian government unleashed a massive show of force against the Sinai Peninsula. To the consternation of human rights groups, thousands of Egyptians were arrested as security agents combed the desert villages for information on the blasts.

The trial of two men accused of involvement in the Taba bombings is set to begin Sunday. But this weekend's attacks inspired their lawyer to ask the judge for a postponement of the trial.

"What's happening now in Sharm el Sheik proves that the Taba case is bigger than what the government is trying to make it look like," said Ahmed Seif al Islam, director of the Hisham Mubarak Law Center. "The current situation says the (Taba) files are incomplete and unrealistic."

At least 43 foreigners were wounded in Saturday's attacks: 13 Italians, nine Britons, five Austrians, five Germans, four Spaniards, a Czech, an Israeli Arab, two Saudis, two Kuwaitis and a Qatari.

No U.S. citizens were reported hurt or missing in the attacks, a U.S. Embassy spokesman said.

Italian authorities identified one of the dead as Italian national Sebastiano Conti, 34, who was in Sharm el Sheik on his honeymoon. Relatives in Italy expressed their grief but also fear at not having heard from Conti's bride, Daniela Maioana, nor his brother Giovanni, a cameraman for an Italian television station.

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"This is such a tragedy," Sandro Petretto, Conti's boss, told the Italian news agency Ansa. "This was supposed to be their wedding trip."

Condemnations came from throughout the region and beyond. President Bush called Mubarak to offer his support.

"Standing together with the rest of the civilized world, we will win the conflict against this global scourge," White House press secretary Scott McClellan said in a statement.

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, traveling in the region, also condemned the attacks.

Rice, who was in the West Bank on Saturday for talks with Palestinian officials, said she had telephoned her Egyptian counterpart, Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit.

At a joint news conference with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank, Rice said of the attackers: "They will not succeed in destroying our way of life."

Abbas, too, denounced the attacks.

Pope Benedict XVI condemned the bombings as "senseless acts" and said he had prayed to God that those who commit such crimes renounce violence, "return to humanity" and "embrace peace." His comments were contained in a telegram to the families of victims.


Contributing: Henry Chu and Nora Younis in Sharm el Sheik, Tracy Wilkinson in Rome and Laura King in Jerusalem.

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Amr Nabil, Associated Press

An Egyptian policeman and shop owners look at a damaged vehicle.

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