Security officials: telephone and Internet networks severed with tense southern Egypt province

CAIRO – Security officials in Egypt say they shut down telephone and Internet networks to the southern province of Aswan for several hours, as authorities moved to try to end a bloody tribal feud that killed 25 people the past week.

The officials say the shutdown Tuesday was part of a plan aimed at preventing contacts while security forces prepare operations to disarm the two feuding sides, an Arab clan and a Nubian family. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to speak to reporters.

The shutdown lasted about three hours, during which attempts to reach Aswan residents by phone were unsuccessful. By the afternoon, communications at least partially returned.

One of the officials said the fighting, which began Friday, had become a "national security issue."