Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak urged Christians and Muslims to close ranks and confront "terrorism" after a New Year's day car bomb attack on a church Saturday killed 21 people.
"President Hosni Mubarak has been following up on the criminal terrorist act from the moment it occurred and throughout the night and until dawn today," MENA news agency reported.
Mubarak "calls on children of Egypt -- Copts and Muslims -- to close ranks and confront the forces of terrorism and those who want to undermine the security, stability and unity of the children of this nation," MENA said.
At least 21 people were killed after midnight when a car exploded as the faithful emerged from mass at Al-Qiddissine (The Saints) church in the Sidi Bechr district of Alexandria, Egypt's second city, a health official said.
The attack targeted a Coptic church, Egypt's largest Christian community and the biggest in the Middle East.
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