Egypt: No halt to Sinai drive against militants

Egypt's military on Wednesday insisted it is pursuing its offensive against Islamic militants in the volatile Sinai Peninsula, denying a claim that the government agreed to halt the operation that followed a bloody border attack.                   

The statement countered a declaration by ultraconservative Salafi Muslims and other radical groups that the offensive was called off in order to avoid an escalation of violence by the militants, who are thought to be extremist jihadis, some inspired by al-Qaida.                     

The official Egyptian Middle East News Agency quoted an unidentified military official as saying that the offensive is still in progress, noting the total number of militants killed since the beginning of the operation has reached 11.                     

"We will continue to chase the terrorists," the official said, according to the MENA report.                     

Separately, Egypt placed former presidential candidate Ahmed Shafik on a watch list at border points on Wednesday pending an investigation of alleged corruption, a judiciary source said.

REUTERS/AP