UPDATED: Kidnapped Egyptian soldiers released, Rafah crossing open

Seven officers kidnapped in Sinai are free and en route to Cairo after
collaboration between tribal sheikhs, residents and military intelligence,
says Armed Forces spokesman Wednesday; Border with Gaza now open
Ahram Online , Wednesday 22 May 2013
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/72036/Egypt/Politics-/UPDATED-Kidnapped-Egyptian-soldiers-released,-Rafa.aspx

After almost a week in captivity, seven soldiers held hostage by
unidentified militants in Sinai have been released and are en route to Cairo
confirmed Egyptian Armed Forces Spokesperson Ahmed Mohamed Ali, early
Wednesday morning.

The officers, who are being flown back to the capital, are free thanks to
the efforts of military intelligence in cooperation with tribal sheikhs and
residents of the peninsula, the spokesperson added.

The Armed Forces will hold a press conference shortly to reveal the details
of how the soldiers were freed.

Al-Ahram's Arabic language news website also reported that the Rafah border
crossing with Gaza is now open. The crossing was closed shortly after the
hostages were taken last week.

Seven Egyptian security personnel, including a member of the armed forces,
four port security officers and two state security officers, were taken
hostage by unidentified kidnappers in North Sinai on Thursday.

It is the first time Egyptian security personnel have been abducted by
Sinai-based militants.