From the Daily News Egypt:
Heightened security in North Sinai led to the delay of a proposed conference of Bedouin tribes in which they planned to make demands from the Egyptian government.
Earlier on Friday, hundreds of Bedouins had driven through towns between Rafah and Sheikh Zowayed to announce the conference, which was scheduled to take place on Saturday.
Although it did take place, many of the representatives were unable to attend due to the closure of all the roads leading to Irsal, Shabana south of Rafah where the meeting was held.
Those who managed to attend released a statement declaring that another conference will be held on Aug. 25 where the Bedouins will make a list of demands.
Among these demands is the release of Bedouins incarcerated since a spate of terror attacks in tourist resorts across Southern Sinai in 2006.
Demands also include reaching an agreement for land ownership with the government and benefits from increased investment in Sinai.
The attendees also called for being given employment priority in projects in the area and that companies investing in Sinai offer services to the people in the vicinity.
“The government is not concerned with the simple people of Sinai and is more interested in the businessmen,” journalist and activist Mustapha Singer told Daily News Egypt.