the latter are tightening their siege on it.
Contrary to Egyptian claims to be in control of the Multinational Force in northern Sinai base after its invasion by Salafist Bedouin gunmen Friday night, all they had managed to do by Saturday morning was to mediate between the New Zealand general who commands the base and the invaders on terms for their departure. The gunmen linked to al Qaeda still control the exits and entrances to the Al Ghora base, holding hundreds of US officers, soldiers and airmen to siege.