Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has blamed "foreign hands" for a deadly New Year attack on a church in the northern city of Alexandria that claimed 21 lives and wounded 79 others.
Mubarak said on Saturday that his country will stand up to terrorists and those targeting Egypt's security after the deadly midnight church attack.
In a televised speech he said the bombing targeting worshippers as they emerged from a New Year's Eve ceremony bore the hallmark "of foreign hands."
"All of Egypt is targeted. This blind terrorism does not differentiate between Copts and Muslims," said the president.
While urging Muslims and Christians to close ranks, Mubarak pledged that government will track down the culprits.
Police initially said the blast came from an explosives-packed car parked outside the Saints Church. But the Interior Ministry later said it was more likely from a bomber who detonated an explosive device among the crowd. There was no immediate claim of responsibility.
The attack came as the New Year's Mass had just ended and some worshippers were leaving the building. Nearly 1,000 Christians were attending the Mass, said Father Mena Adel, a priest at the church.
According to the interior ministry, eight of those hurt were Muslims.
The bombing sparked fierce anger among Christians, who clashed with police and shouted slogans against the government.
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