Egypt says it will protect Copts against al-Qaeda
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has assured the country's Coptic Christians the government will protect them in the face of al-Qaeda threats.
Al-Qaeda's front group in Iraq has threatened to attack Christians unless Egypt's Coptic Orthodox Church releases women the terror group claims the church is holding captive for converting to Islam. Egypt's official MENA news agency says Mubarak spoke with Coptic leader Pope Shenouda III by telephone Saturday and pledged to protect the country's 8-million strong Coptic community. (AP)
