Mubarak issues veiled warning

Cairo: Egyptians on Saturday welcomed President Hosni Mubarak's tacit warning to Algeria after scores of Egyptian football fans were attacked by Algerians following a World Cup playoff in Sudan on Wednesday.

"Egypt will not tolerate those who harm the dignity of its people," Mubarak said in a speech to parliament on Saturday. "The welfare of our citizens abroad is the responsibility of the country. We look after their rights and reject violations and transgressions against them," he added without directly mentioning Algeria.

Algeria has been the target of anger from Egyptians and their media since the attacks, which they blamed on hooligans and ex-convicts allegedly sent by the Algerian government to assail the Egyptian fans in the wake of the Sudan playoff, which ended 1-0 for Algeria.

"Beware of Egypt's fury," screamed the headline of the semi-official newspaper Akhbar Al Youm yesterday. A final ceremony of the annual Cairo Film Festival Friday night turned into a forum to vent anger at Algeria. Egyptian participants appeared with the national flag. Fathi Abdul Wahab, who was named Best Actor at the festival, dedicated his honour "to the Egyptians and their national team for their safe return" from Sudan.

Injuries

Around 25 policemen were injured in clashes with angry Egyptians on Friday after they attempted to attack the Algerian embassy in the Cairo area of Zamalek. Fifteen police and private cars were damaged in the rioting, according to the Ministry of the Interior. Less violent protests erupted in other parts of Cairo.

"This is not the best way to express our anger," said Abdul Salam Mahmoud, who lives near the Algerian embassy. "Vandalism and violence should be avoided. Governments in both countries should act rationally and hurry to defuse this crisis. It is just a soccer match," he told Gulf News.

His view was echoed in some writings in the Egyptian press. "Some people here and there believe that the values of patriotism, dignity and victory can be achieved through agitating slogans and violent behaviour," wrote Nabil Abdul Fatah in the semi-official newspaper Al Ahram. "This is totally untrue and misguided. These people behave like senior officials in the region, who try to reduce the concepts of the state and people to the performance of their national football teams and turn matches into military battles."

In the same mass-circulation newspaper Tarek Al Desouki asked: "Why did they hate us?"

"We should follow the US example in the aftermath of the 9/11 incidents to launch a national debate to know why the Algerians hate us. They looked as though they were going on jihad against a foreign enemy, who has invaded their country," he wrote.

To Fayza Mustafa, a housewife, the question is not difficult to answer.

"They hate us for two main reasons. First they feel we are better than them. Secondly, because our government does not do enough to protect us inside and outside the country," she told this newspaper.

"I hope that President Mubarak's warning will prove more than empty rhetoric. The least he can do is to expel the Algerian ambassador in Cairo."

Some unconfirmed reports by an Arabic TV channel said that Algeria is planning to ban Egyptian movies and serials.

The trouble began before the first match in Cairo when Egyptian fans pelted a bus carrying the Algerian team.

Three Algerian players were injured and two of them played with their heads bandaged. Fan violence after that match injured more than 32 people.

Attacks

Algerian fans also attacked the offices of Egyptian companies in Algeria, prompting hundreds of Egyptians fearing for their safety to return home, according to reports in official Egyptian media.

Street protesters and some media commentators have demanded that Egypt's government kick out the Algerian ambassador. Others have called for an all-out economic and cultural boycott of Algeria.

Lawmakers applauded Mubarak's comments yesterday. When egged on by lawmakers who apparently wanted him to directly threaten Algeria, Mubarak briefly departed from his prepared text.

"We don't want to be drawn into impulsive reactions. I am agitated too, but I restrain myself," he said.

— With inputs from AP