Egypt: Morsi Says No to Negotiations with Kidnappers of Police

Following the appearance of a video depicting Egyptian soldiers and policemen kidnapped on Saturday pleading for the government to secure their release, President Mohamed Morsi Tweeted that he would not “succumb to blackmail.” The 7 were taken hostage in order to secure the release of political prisoners held by the Egyptian government. They were captured near the Sinai Peninsula town of El Arish. The police stationed along the Egypt-Gaza Strip border have shut down the crossing, reportedly declaring it will remain closed until their comrades are released.