Originally posted by the Voice of America. Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America, a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in the public domain. Egypt Blames al-Qaida-Linked Palestinian Group for New Year's Bombing VOA News 23 January 2011 Egyptian Christians cheer as they put a piece of paper that reads 'we don't need Habib El-Adly, Minister of the Interior' on a car driven by a Christian during clashes with riot police outside al-Abasseya Cathedral in Cairo late night, 02 Jan 2011. Photo: Reuters Egyptian Christians cheer as they put a piece of paper that reads 'we don't need Habib El-Adly, Minister of the Interior' on a car driven by a Christian during clashes with riot police outside al-Abasseya Cathedral in Cairo late night, 02 Jan 2011. Egypt's interior minister has blamed a Palestinian group linked to al-Qaida for the New Year's Day suicide bombing that killed more than 20 people and wounded about 100 others at a Coptic Christian church. Habib al-Adly announced Sunday that the government believes the Army of Islam was behind the attack. The Army of Islam praised the attack but denied involvement. The Palestinian militant group is believed to have played a role in a cross-border attack in 2006 that resulted in the abduction of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. The more recent attack occurred a half hour into the new year at a church in the northern city of Alexandria where worshippers had gathered to celebrate Mass.  The bombing prompted protests by Christians saying the state had not done enough to protect them from extremists. Witnesses also said that after the attack, Coptic Christians tried to attack a mosque across from the church, and that fights broke out causing more casualties. The Palestinian militant group Hamas condemned the attack, saying the perpetrators were seeking to promote confrontation between Muslims and Christians. Tensions between Christians and Muslims have been on the rise in Egypt and Iraq following threats by al-Qaida. While no one immediately claimed responsibility for the New Year's Day attack, al-Qaida's affiliate in Iraq had claimed responsibility for other recent bombings, saying they were in retaliation for two Egyptian Christian women who converted to Islam. .