Egypt lifts security after border kidnappings

Officials say dozens of military and police armoured vehicles have crossed into Sinai, five days after suspected militants kidnapped six policemen and a border guard.

An Egyptian military armoured personnel carrier patrols a street in the Sheikh Zowied town near Rafah, in the northern Sinai on May 20, 2013. Egypt sent police reinforcements to the Sinai after an attShow more

CAIRO // Egyptian officials say dozens of military and police armoured vehicles have crossed into Sinai, beefing up the security presence in the volatile peninsula five days after suspected militants kidnapped six policemen and a border guard there.

Islamist president Mohammed Morsi said all options are open to free the seven men. Officials have said mediators were in touch with the captors.

Security officials said 17 military and more than 20 police armoured vehicles were deployed in northern Sinai on Monday as a response to the kidnapping. It was not clear if they were there as a prelude to a rescue attempt.

The officials spoke anonymously because they were not authorised to speak to the media.