Egypt rages over soccer assaults

Cairo: In what has been seen as the worst crisis between Egypt and another Arab country in recent years, ordinary Egyptians and MPs are urging the government of President Hosni Mubarak to take action to avenge attacks by "Algerian hooligans" on Egyptians following a World Cup play-off in Sudan on Wednesday night.

"There should be stern action against the Algerian hooligans," said independent MP Mustafa Bakri. He was one of around 10,000 Egyptians who had flown to Sudan to attend the crunch match, which saw Algeria qualify for the World Cup.

Bakri accused the Algerian government of sending ex-convicts to Sudan to "terrorise" Egyptian fans. He and many Egyptians said they had been assaulted by hordes of Algerians wielding long knives and blades. Twenty-one Egyptians were reportedly injured in the attacks, which prompted Egypt, the Arab world's most populous country, to recall its ambassador from Algeria in protest.

Diplomatic row

Meanwhile, the Egyptian president's elder son also called for a tough stand amid an escalating diplomatic row.

Mubarak's low-profile son Ala'a made a statement saying Egypt should "take a stance" and respond to the "terror, hostility" and mistreatment of Egyptians by the Algerians.

Speaking on an Egyptian satellite TV station, businessman Ala'a Mubarak — who unlike his politically prominent younger brother Jamal rarely speaks publicly — said the tensions reveal Algeria's "grudge and ill-will" towards Egypt.

"It is impossible that we as Egyptians take this, we have to stand up and say ‘enough'," said Ala'a, who had travelled to Khartoum for Wednesday's game.

"There should be a stance, we have had enough.

"When you insult my dignity ... I will beat you on the head," added the younger Mubarak.

Upon an order from the president, Cairo on Thursday summoned Algerian Ambassador in Egypt Abdul Qader Hajar for the second time in a few days.

"We expressed to him our extreme dismay at the Algerians' assaults on Egyptians in Sudan," said Hussam Zaki, the spokesman for the Egyptian Foreign Ministry.

"He was given a stern message about the necessity of protecting the Egyptian expatriates and their property in Algeria," he added.

Around 10,000 Egyptians are working in Algeria where angry fans had attacked the offices of the national carrier EgyptAir and Orascom Telecommunication Company following a football match between both countries on November 14. Egyptian companies have started taking legal action to seek compensation for the damage caused to their offices in Algeria where Egyptian investments are estimated at six billion dollars (Dh22.02b).

"President Hosni Mubarak is angry at the Algerian behaviour," Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmad Abu Al Geit said. Mubarak on Thursday presided over an emergency meeting, described in local media as a national security council. Attending the meeting were ministers of the interior, foreign affairs, information and parliamentary affairs as well as the chief of the Egyptian army staff. "I have been an advocate of Arab nationalism for all my life but after the recent attacks because of a soccer game, I have started to reconsider my view of this nationalism," said Mustafa Al Fekki, a member of the ruling National Democratic Party and the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the Egyptian parliament.

Protesters

Angry Egyptian protesters on Friday threw stones at anti-riot police near the Algerian embassy in the Cairo quarter of Zamalek. Around 15 policemen were injured in the violent protest as 11 cars and four store fronts were damaged, according to a statement from the Ministry of Interior. The protesters, who burnt the Algerian flag, demanded the expulsion of the Algerian ambassador from Cairo, according to eyewitnesses.

"For how long will the Egyptians be humiliated by Arabs like this?" said Mahmoud Abdul Hakim, an Egyptian accountant at a private company. "We did nothing when the Egyptians were killed in cold blood and sent back home in coffins in Iraq [in the late 1980s]. Nor did we lift a finger to protest against Egyptians being lashed in Saudi Arabia," he said.

"Enough is enough. Something must be done to send home a message that Egypt can strike back at those who dare humiliate its people."

Do you think the conflicts have gotten out of hand? Are both sides overreacting to the situation? What is the best approach to tackle this issue?