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Seven Egypt security force hostages freed in Sinai Seven Egypt security force hostages freed in Sinai
(about 1 hour later)
Seven members of the Egyptian security forces abducted in the Sinai peninsula have been freed, officials say. Seven members of the Egyptian security forces who were abducted in the Sinai peninsula have been freed.
The men were seized while travelling in minibuses in northern Sinai, east of the city of El Arish. The men arrived at a military base in a Cairo suburb on Wednesday where they were received by President Mohamed Morsi and government ministers.
On his Facebook page, the army's official spokesman said the release was due to "the efforts of military intelligence" and local tribal elders. Mr Morsi made the unprecedented move of calling on the people of Sinai to "give up their arms".
The peninsula has become increasingly lawless since President Hosni Mubarak was ousted in 2011.The peninsula has become increasingly lawless since President Hosni Mubarak was ousted in 2011.
Army spokesman Col Ahmed Ali said the seven men were on their way to Cairo. The hostages were seized while travelling in minibuses in northern Sinai, east of the city of El Arish on 16 May.
Egyptian troops had launched a sweep of north Sinai on Tuesday. 'Departure point'
On Monday, President Mohammed Morsi had ruled out negotiating with the captors, saying there was "no room for dialogue with the criminals". On his Facebook page, the army's official spokesman said the release six days later was due to "the efforts of military intelligence" and local tribal elders.
The abductions had prompted angry police to shut down border crossings with Gaza and Israel until the hostages were released. The Egyptian authorities have reopened the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and Gaza, which was closed after the abduction.
It is expected that the Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza will be reopened on Wednesday. Mr Morsi was shown greeting the seven released members of the security forces live on Egyptian Channel One TV.
In a speech, he congratulated the officials involved in the operation and vowed that the "perpetrators will be held accountable".
Mr Morsi said that his government would bring stability back to the Sinai Peninsula, which has remained under a special security regime since Israeli troops withdrew in 1982.
He called on anyone carrying weapons to hand them over.
Correspondents say the inhabitants of the peninsula are heavily armed and previous military rulers of Egypt have seemed reluctant to challenge them.
"This event will be a departure point for all of us to solve the problems of Sinai, its people and to develop Sinai," Mr Morsi said.
On Monday, the president had ruled out negotiating with the captors, saying there was "no room for dialogue with the criminals".
Egyptian troops launched a sweep of north Sinai on Tuesday.
While the identity of their captors is unclear, reports had suggested they were jihadist militants.While the identity of their captors is unclear, reports had suggested they were jihadist militants.
Islamist militants in northern Sinai have used the lack of central authority to carry out attacks across the border into Israel.Islamist militants in northern Sinai have used the lack of central authority to carry out attacks across the border into Israel.
There have been several incidents in which Western tourists and other foreigners have been kidnapped in the peninsula.There have been several incidents in which Western tourists and other foreigners have been kidnapped in the peninsula.
Egyptian Bedouins have used hostage-taking to press for the release of jailed tribesmen they say have been sentenced unfairly on charges ranging from terrorism to drug dealing.Egyptian Bedouins have used hostage-taking to press for the release of jailed tribesmen they say have been sentenced unfairly on charges ranging from terrorism to drug dealing.