Azerbaijan, Baku, Feb. 23 / Trend , E.Ostapenko/ There can be no justification for terrorist attacks like a blast in Cairo, NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said with regard to a terrorist attack that took place in Cairo on Feb. 22, NATO said in a message.
"There can be no justification for this cowardly and pointless attack," he said.
A blast occurred not far from Al-Hussein mosque in the capital of Egypt in the evening of Feb. 22. As a result, a French tourist was killed and 24 people injured. The injured are mostly foreign visitors in Cairo - 17 French, one German, three Saudi Arabian and three Egyptians.
On behalf of NATO, Scheffer condemned the terrorist attack in Cairo and expressed NATO's solidarity to President Mubarak and to the Egyptian people for this heinous act.
Scheffer extended NATO's condolences to President Sarkozy for the death of the French citizen. He expressed hope for a speedy recovery of the Egyptian, Saudi, French and German citizens injured.
"NATO will continue to work with Egypt and with the other members of our Mediterranean Dialogue to cooperate in the fight against the scourge of terrorism," said Scheffer.
Police said the blast was caused by a self-made explosive filled with metallic pieces and nails. The explosive was laid under a stone bench in the square in front of the mosque. A popular Khan al-Khalili market is located there.
Security forces arrived at the scene of tragedy to find out another explosive device. It was neutralized in time.
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