Egyptian envoy attacked by Muslim extremists

EGYPTIAN Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher was attacked by Muslim extremists as he prayed yesterday at one of Islam’s holiest sites, the Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.

Mr Maher had left ceasefire talks with the Israeli leadership to pray at the mosque in the Old City when a small group of extremist worshippers started shouting at him and trying to assault him, witnesses said. They hurled shoes at him, one of Islam's worst insults.

Bodyguards surrounded Maher and hustled him out of the compound, supporting him briefly as he appeared to lose his balance.