CAIRO (AA) - September 5, 2012 - Al-Ibrahime tribe in Sinai handed over a significant number of weapons and ammunition to the armed forces in Egypt.
Speaking to Anadolu Agency (AA) correspondent on Wednesday, Abu Yousuf, one of the leading persons at the tribe, said that the tribe acted upon Egyptian Defense Minister Abdelfattah Said Elsisi's initiative to control unlicensed weapons in Sinai.
"I do not know whether any tribe members still keep their weapons or not. We had been carrying the guns because of security vacuum following the revolution on January 25, not to fight with other tribes," said Abu Yousuf.
Abu Yousuf stated that the tribe left their guns due to their faith in Egyptian army.
Meanwhile, the tribe sheikh Abdurrahman Abu Harris stated that they would take up arms only if a state of anarchy emerges in the country.
Noting Al-Ibrahime tribe was the first one that came to an agreement with security forces in the country, Abu Harris said, "I do not accept withdrawal of Egyptian army in Sinai."