Cairo - Egyptian security officers detained 18 members of the Muslim Brotherhood, the country's largest opposition group, from their homes in Alexandria shortly before dawn Sunday morning, security

Cairo/Al-Arish, Egypt  - A number of Egyptian security troops were injured by Israeli bombings near the Egypt-Gaza border, al- Arabiya news channel reported.

Cairo - Archaeologists have discovered a massive sarcophagus, along with mummified remains and golden finger coverings, in the burial chamber of a recently discovered pyramid near Cairo.

According to Egyptian officials, archaeologists used an entrance carved out a thousand years ago by grave robbers to access the 16 square metre burial chamber. The original entrance to the tomb, believed to be that of the mother of Pharaoh Teti (2318-2300 BC), had been sealed shut with huge granite blocks, said chief archeologist Zahi Hawass.

Cairo - Two senior Israeli officials arrived in Cairo on Thursday to discuss the details of a French-Egyptian proposal for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, airport sources told Deutsche Presse- Agentur, dpa.

Political advisor to Israeli Prime Minister Shalom Turgeman and senior military official Amos Gilad are in Cairo for a short visit to negotiate details of the proposal, which calls for a ceasefire in Gaza.

Earlier, Israeli officials said the Jewish state welcomed the proposal, announced by Egypt President Hosny Mubarak at a press conference on Tuesday with French leader Nicolas Sarkozy.

Tel Aviv - Israel will send a top official to Cairo to discuss the details of a French-Egyptian proposal for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, local media reported Wednesday.

Earlier, Israeli officials said the Jewish State welcomed the proposal, announced by Egypt President Hosny Mubarak at a press conference the night before with French leader Nicolas Sarkozy.

Cairo  - An Egyptian ceasefire plan for Gaza which Egyptian President Hosny Mubarak hopes will help his damaged popularity has met a positive reaction since it was announced late on Tuesday.

Seeking to regain regional stature damaged by Israel's attack on Gaza, Mubarak proposed a ceasefire plan that won immediate backing from the US and Europe, even though few details have been announced.