Interior Minister Ahmed Gamal el-Din said that the security bodies have managed to arrest three new defendants from Madinet Nassr terrorist cell thus bringing the number of defendants to 12.
He said one of the defendants was arrested while coming from Libya to carry out terrorist operations in Egypt adding security bodies are now collecting clues on the linkage between the members of the cell, Jihadist elements and some crimes which have been committed.
He said investigations by security bodies indicated that Madinet Nassr flat was used as allocation for training the members of the cell on bombings. The minister said investigations also showed that the members of the cell were planned to be trained in a desert place in Libya. Following training, these elements were planned to be sent to Egypt in order to commit terrorist acts.
Gamal el-Din said the success of the security bodies in uncovering Madinet Nassr cell protected Egypt from dangerous terrorist operations.
He said security bodies have seized 30 sacks full of highly explosive TNT material which were stored in a store in Alexandria.
He said security bodies also seized 83 explosive ampoules in a car on Cairo Ismailia desert road. He said it became clear that the persons driving the car in which the explosive ampoules were found were belonging to Madinet Nassr cell.
On the Situation in Sinai, the minister said police bodies are working in full coordination with the Armed Forces to maintain security and stability in Sinai adding President Morsi has expressed willingness to extend all possible support to achieve security.
He said he has recently met the president and discussed with him the implications of incidents in Sinai and promised to provide all potentials which can help them achieve security and stability.