A statement released on Tuesday by Egyptian officials put to rest rumors that Pakistani nationals were behind Saturday's explosions at the resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh. Egyptian ambassador to Pakistan Hussain Kamel Haridy told AP that "No Pakistani national was involved in the terrorist attacks that rocked Sharm el-Sheik late last Saturday."
Haridy was quick to add that ongoing searches for the men were unrelated to the bombings, and that the Egyptian government had at no point implied that the men were behind the deadly bombings. He also stressed the importance of accuracy on the part of Egyptian media sources when reporting such matters.
Egyptian police have been searching for the five men since their apparent disappearance shortly before Saturday's attack. According to Haridy, the search was routine, as were the distribution of photos of the five close to the scene of the bombings.
Official denial of participation of Pakistani nationals in the bombings was conveyed to the Pakistani government by telephone, Haridy added.
Searches for those behind the attacks, which took the lives of at least 88 people, continue on the part of Egyptian security forces, the Egyptian press reported Tuesday.
© 2005 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
