Egypt's cabinet has condemned a bomb attack which targeted the convoy of Interior Minister Mohamed Ibrahim on Thursday, and confirmed its commitment to fighting terrorism.
"In these circumstances, in which Egypt is facing danger resulting from the terrorist threat to our country, a threat which seeks to cripple Egypt through the use of violence, incitement of fear and sectarianism, the Egyptian government hereby asserts that it will continue to stand in the face of whoever tries to attack state security or the Egyptian people," read the statement.
Interior Minister Mohamed Ibrahim survived an assassination attempt when a bomb detonated near his convoy in the eastern Cairo district of Nasr City. At least 21 people, including six security officers and a child, were injured in the attack, according to Egypt's health ministry. Some shops were also damaged in the blast, along with four cars from the minister's convoy.
Initial investigations confirmed that at least 50kg of explosives or other chemicals were utilised in the blast, Al-Ahram Arabic news website reported.
"Just as the state commits itself to standing in the face of threats to its security, it also affirms its strong beliefs regarding the necessity of building an Egyptian democratic system that ensures the rights and freedoms of its people," added the statement.
Egypt's army chief General Abdel Fattah El-Sisi denounced the attack on Ibrahim, stating that such acts are censured by all three Abrahamic religions.
In a message addressed to the interior minister, El-Sisi affirmed his trust in the police and their ability to take all security actions necessary to "cripple the terrorist threat."
"The army calls on the police to stand in the face of such crimes and arrest whoever disrespects the law and threatens Egypt's national security," El-Sisi stated.
Furthermore, El-Sisi said that such attempts will only give confidence to the Egyptian "heroes" and render them more eager to fight terrorism and curb all sources of crime.
