EGYPT THREATENS ISRAEL OVER SMUGGLING DISPUTE

Egypt Warns Israel of Diplomatic Reprisals
Egypt's foreign minister warned Israel against trying to undermine Cairo's ties to Washington, the state news agency MENA said. "If they continue to push and try to affect Egypt's relationship with the U.S. and harm Egyptian interests, Egypt will certainly respond and will try to damage their interests," Ahmed Aboul Gheit said Sunday. "We have capabilities in every direction...which may inflict profound damage," he added. Israel last month sent a videotape to Washington that Israeli officials said showed Egyptian security men helping Hamas militants smuggle arms across the border to Gaza. Egyptian President Mubarak accused Israel of fabricating evidence to implicate Egyptian security men in arms smuggling. (Reuters)