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Source: http://old.news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20120828/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_egypt_sinai
Egypt Leader Said to Reach Out to Sinai Radicals
(AP) Maggie Michael - Egypt's Islamist president is using former jihadists to mediate with radical Islamists in Sinai, trying to ensure a halt in militant attacks in return for a stop in its military offensive in Sinai. The dialogue also raised concerns that it would give de facto recognition to some of the most hard-core, fringe Islamist movements. Since a surprise ambush of Egyptian troops on the border with Israel and Gaza on Aug. 5, killing 16 soldiers, thousands of troops backed by tanks have been deployed in northern Sinai. There were several raids on alleged militant hideouts in the first few days, but the military operation seems to have avoided direct confrontations.