Sinai armed group surrounds peacekeeper base

An armed group blocked access to the headquarters of a peacekeeping force in Egypt's Sinai to pressure the government to release two of their kin from prison, security sources said on Wednesday, the second such protest at the base in two weeks.

They sealed access to the base in Rafah, 10 km (6 miles) from Egypt's border with Gaza, since Tuesday afternoon, blocking roads with burning tyres and small vehicles, the sources said. (Reuters)