Sandstorm sweeps over Egypt

A heavy sandstorm engulfed most of Egypt today, reducing visibility to less than 500 meters and forcing several flights, including a plane carrying Sudanese President Omar el-Bashir, to land elsewhere, airport officials said.

El-Bashir, who is on a one-day official visit, instead landed in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheik, where he met President Hosni Mubarak.