Egypt police find 2 tonnes explosives in Sinai

ISMAILIA, Egypt, Nov 3 (Reuters) Egyptian police found more than 2 tonnes (4,400 lbs) of explosives in three caches in the Sinai peninsula today, police sources said.

More than 100 people were killed in bomb attacks in tourist resorts in Sinai between October 2004 and July 2006.

Police found 500 kg in north Sinai near the town of Sheikh Zuweid and one tonne in the Gifgafa area about 100 km (60 miles) to the southwest, they said. Police made no arrests.

The state news agency MENA said earlier police found 600 kg of TNT in sacks in a desert area near the north Sinai village of Raythan, which is also close to Sheikh Zuweid.

The same area has seen shootouts between police and suspects wanted for bombings in Sinai over the past two years.

Egypt has blamed the attacks on an Islamist militant group called al-Tawhid wal Jihad (One God and Jihad) and says the group is made up of Sinai bedouin with militant views.

REUTERS PDM BD0002