Egypt condemns terror attack on wedding in Iraq

Egypt's foreign ministry has condemned a terrorist attack in Iraq which killed 26 people and injured dozens of others during a wedding on Thursday.    "The foreign ministry spokesman Ahmed Abu-Zeid assured that Egypt stands by and fully supports the Iraqi government in the fight against terrorism which targets its security and stability," a ministry statement read, noting that Egypt sends its condolences to the Iraqi people and government.   The spokesman also reiterated Egypt's stance that "terrorism contradicts all humanitarian principles and that ending the phenomenon relies on international solidarity to crack down on financing and militant ideology."   The bomb blast targeted a wedding ceremony in Hajjaj village near Tikrit city, and was reported by local officials and medics as a suicide attack.   The attack was not immediately claimed, although the Islamic State militant group has carried out similar actions as it comes under pressure in Mosul.   IS overran large areas of Iraq and Syria in 2014, declaring a cross-border "caliphate" in territories it controlled, but has since lost ground.   Iraqi forces launched the massive operation to retake IS Mosul's stronghold on 17 October, first recapturing its eastern side before expanding operations at other regions in Iraq's second largest city Source: Ahram online