Gunmen kidnap 2 Americans and an Egyptian in Sinai

[February 03, 2012]  AL-ARISH, Egypt (AP) -- Two security officials say gunmen have kidnapped two Americans and their Egyptian tour guide after stopping a minivan carrying the group near St. Catherine's Monastery in the Sinai.

The military and police officials say the abductors sped away in a sedan and a pickup truck, leaving behind three other people who had been in the minivan. The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to release the information, did not know the nationalities of those left behind. Authorities say a search is under way.

Egypt has faced deteriorating security and a surge in crime since the popular uprising that ousted Hosni Mubarak nearly a year ago. Protesters accuse the military council that has assumed power and the police force of negligence.

[Associated Press; By ASHRAF SWEILAM]

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