New Egyptian VP targeted in assassination attempt

A failed attempt on the life of Egypt’s newly appointed vice president has reportedly left two of his bodyguards dead.

According to Fox News, an apparent attack on Omar Suleiman in recent days marks an alarming turn of events in the continuing anti-government protests in the streets of Cairo, suggesting some protesters may be willing to force a violent coup as President Hosni Mubarak refuses to relinquish power.

Mubarak appointed Suleiman as vice president on January 29 after dismissing his own cabinet at the behest of growing protests. Fox News is reporting that, according to sources, the orchestrated attack on Suleiman was so “well organized,” security officials are classifying it as an assassination plot.

When asked to address the assassination reports Friday, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs declined to comment. “I’m not going to … get into these questions,” he said Friday.