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Sinai Buildup Shifts Tenet of Egypt-Israel Peace

(AP-ABC News) Amy Teibel and Hamza Hendawi - Egyptian troops, light tanks, armored vehicles and attack helicopters are pouring into the Sinai desert to root out increasingly aggressive Islamic militants in the most significant easing to date of a key provision in the landmark 1979 peace treaty with Israel: The demilitarization of the peninsula. Israel is willing to bend troop limits. But it is tepid to formal amendments for fear of enshrining too much firepower on its border, especially when Egypt's post-Mubarak future remains unclear. Last year, the lawlessness in Sinai after Mubarak's ouster prompted the Israelis to allow the deployment of some 3,500 troops with armored vehicles in the border zone. Some estimates by Israel say Egypt deployed no more than 40-50% of the 3,500 troops. After intensive contacts between Egyptian and Israeli officials, Egypt early in the week sent 20 armored vehicles laden with troops and counterterrorism policemen to the border zone. On Thursday, 60 more vehicles, including 40 light tanks, headed to the border region.
2012-08-10 00:00:00
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