Egypt is said to have won the extradition of six Islamic fugitives charged with being involved in terrorist plots, according to the Middle East Newsline (MENL).
Islamic sources were quoted by MENL as saying the six were extradited from an unnamed Gulf country over the last week. They said Egypt had pressed the country for the extradition of the fugitives for trial in Cairo.
The London-based Islamic Observatory claimed that four of the Islamic fugitives were returned earlier this month and two others over the last week. The opposition group has often reported on the arrest and extradition of Islamic militants.
However, Egyptian officials have denied that Cairo has obtained custody of the fugitives.
On Saturday, thousands of Egyptians clashed with police in Zagazig in a protest over rising unemployment. The protesters were comprised of jobless university graduates infuriated by a government decision to restrict new public sector jobs to those under 28 years old.
AFP reported that 22 of the demonstrators were slightly hurt when police fired tear gas to disperse 3,000 people demonstrating against proposed cuts in public sector employment.
The confrontation took place in the Nile Delta town of Zagazig, capital of the northern governorate of Sharquiya, a source told the agency.
Three thousand people had assembled before government offices and in the streets, throwing rocks at police and breaking car and bus windows.
The police struck back, tossing tear gas grenades and clubbing protestors, the source said.
The demonstrators took to the streets after a statement by Egypt's State Minister for Administrative Development Mohamed Zaki Abu Amer, who on Friday called for a maximum age of entry into Egypt's civil service of 24 for those with less than a full university degree, and of 28 for those holding university diplomas.
The demonstrators insisted on their right to public employment, and said many had been without a job for more than a year.
At present, state law requires the government to provide a job for anyone with a diploma, a provision which critics say is a drain on public funds and helps maintain a bloated bureaucracy, said AFP.
The enraged crowds in Zagazig calmed down only after the region's governor, Emad Abul Ela, told the demonstrators he had spoken with Abu Amer, urging him to reconsider his decision.
Zagazig was also the site of a deadly shootout this week between security forces and a young student who authorities claim was "depressed." – Albawaba.com
© 2001 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
