EGYPT THREATENS ALGERIA; MASSIVE RIOTS IN CAIRO

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak entered Egypt's bitter soccer row with Algeria on Saturday, vowing in a televised speech that attacks on Egyptians abroad will not be tolerated.

Mubarak did not mention Algeria by name in his previously scheduled address to parliament, but it was clear he was referring to the fierce soccer rivalry that boiled over into violence when the two Arab nations met in two crucial World Cup qualifiers on November 14 and 18.

Egyptian fans incensed by media reports of Algerian attacks after Wednesday's match in Sudan rioted in central Cairo on Thursday night and into Friday morning. Clashing with hundreds of police in an attempt to reach the Algerian Embassy, they threw rocks and smashed car and shop windows.

The tension in the streets has also reached the diplomatic level, with Egypt bringing home its ambassador to Algeria.

"I want to say in clear words that the dignity of Egyptians is part of the dignity of Egypt," a visibly angry Mubarak told a joint session of parliament's two houses.

[link to www.jpost.com]