In a weeklong sweep of Muslim Brotherhood activists, Egyptian authorities on Wednesday arrested an additional five members of the outlawed group, bringing the total number of members detained since Friday to 22.
Egyptian police officials did not specify where the men were arrested, though several have been detained in recent days in and around Cairo, according to the AP.
The Muslim Brotherhood, which continues to operate under the close watch of Egyptian security officials, won a surprisingly large percentage of votes in recent Egyptian elections.
Many other activists of the Brotherhood were arrested during the election campaign.
Mubarak to begin European tour
Meanwhile, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak is scheduled on Thursday to begin a European tour to discuss ongoing political concerns in the Middle East.
Mubarak is set to visit Italy, Germany and Austria, where he will discuss Hamas' rise to power in the Palestinian territories, the role of the European Union in the peace process between Israel and its neighbors, the ongoing occupation of Iraq, and the controversy of Iran's nuclear program.
The president's first stop will be in Rome, according to the Egyptian Gazzette.
He will then travel to Berlin to meet with his with his counterpart Hurst Kohler and Chancellor Angela Merkel on Friday.
"President Mubarak's visit to Germany will be of special significance as it will be the first since Chancellor Merkel came to office," said Mohamed el-Orabim Egypt's Ambassador to Germany.
© 2006 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
