By SARAH EL DEEB

CAIRO — An Egyptian security official says authorities have detained an alleged Israeli agent and are interrogating him on suspicion he tried to recruit protesters during the popular uprising that toppled President Hosni Mubarak.

The official said Sunday the alleged spy entered Egypt and posed as a foreign journalist shortly after the beginning of the protests Jan. 25. The official was speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to reporters.

He said prosecutors suspect he paid protesters to cause friction with the military and to foment Muslim-Christian tensions. read more