Bedouin riot: Egypt arrests 90
2007-10-08 18:05
Cairo - Egyptian police have arrested 90 people on charges of damaging public property after angry Bedouins stormed government buildings in north Sinai, a security source said on Monday.
The arrests were made after a mob on Sunday attacked the ruling National Democratic Party headquarters in the city of El-Arish in protest at police inaction after a shooting by a rival clan.
Police responded with tear gas and initially detained 40 people.
Following the clashes, at least 20 Bedouins needed medical treatment mainly for the effects of tear gas.
Residents said the violence erupted on Saturday, when several thousand Bedouins went on the rampage in El-Arish, directing their anger at police after a gang fight involving members of the Tarabin tribe based in central Sinai and the local Fawakhriya tribe.
The security source said that elders from both tribes would meet for reconciliation talks later on Monday.