Pro-Iraqi Extremists Arrested in Egypt; Explosives Seized

CAIRO — Egypt has arrested a number of pro-Iraqi Palestinian extremists and seized arms and explosives that they planned to use in terrorist attacks, according to Interior Minister Mohammed Abdel-Halim Moussa.

In remarks published Wednesday in the leading Egyptian weekly magazine Al Musawar, Moussa said the terrorists include followers of radical Palestinian leader Sabri Banna, better known as Abu Nidal. He heads the Revolutionary Council of Fatah.

Moussa did not say how many extremists were arrested but said they conspired with others and had "planned to carry out subversive operations and assault a number of persons they could reach."

Egypt has opposed Iraq's invasion of Kuwait and sent troops to join a multinational defense force in Saudi Arabia.