The Egyptian government is denying that the newly named vice president was targeted in an assassination attempt.

A statement says a stray bullet from an exchange of fire between "criminal elements" struck the lead car in Vice President Omar Suleiman's motorcade as it moved through an area of disturbances on January 28.

It said the vice president was not injured.

The statement said there was no evidence he was intentionally targeted and referred to the shooting as a random incident.

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