The North Sinai governor said that while there are “Salafi jihadi elements” operating in the Sinai, al Qaeda does not have a base in the area. Authorities stopped a drug and arms smuggling operation near the Libyan border. A Coptic teacher was fined $14,000 for insulting Islam. Hundreds of Coptic Christians protested after at least seven Christians, including a child, were beaten and robbed by unknown assailants outside a monastery in Assuit last week.
