Egypt has declared a three-month state of emergency in parts of the Sinai Peninsula after at least 31 soldiers were killed in two attacks there.
The decision was made after Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi called a meeting of the National Defence Council to discuss the security situation.
“The army and the police will take all necessary measures to tackle the dangers of terrorism and its financing, to preserve the security of the region and protect the lives of citizens,” the president said.
It was the biggest loss of life in decades for Egypt’s army, which has been carrying out an offensive against jihadists in northern Sinai.
The area has become increasingly lawless since President Hosni Mubarak was overthrown in 2011.
Militants have stepped up attacks since Islamist President Mohammed Morsi was ousted by the army last year.
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