Christians in Egypt say they're not protected

A day after brazen ISIS attacks killed dozens at two Coptic Christian churches on Palm Sunday, Egypt declared a three-month state of emergency, a measure created to help authorities root out the killers.

In February, Christian Solidarity Worldwide issued a report that described how human rights in Egypt had "worsened progressively", and criticised the failure of security services "to provide basic protection or to undertake investigations" into attacks on Christians and their property (News, 24 February).

The state of emergency must be approved by parliament, where the president has a majority.

"Islamic State squads carried out the attacks on two churches in Tanta and Alexandria", said the group's propaganda news agency "Amaq" on its social media accounts. Christian Copts have been their target in Egypt in the past, and the terrorist group has announced more attacks.

"A series of steps will be taken, most importantly, the announcement of a state of emergency for three months after legal and constitution steps are taken", Sisi said, according to Reuters.

Egyptian Prime Minister Sherif Ismail and President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi condemned the attacks and offered their condolences to the victims.

Palm Sunday is among the holiest days on the Christian calendar, marking the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, and churches traditionally draw big crowds.

The attacks followed a Cairo church bombing in December and came weeks ahead of a planned visit by Catholic Pope Francis meant to show support for the country's Christian minority.

The 15-member Council also stressed the need to bring everyone responsible for the attacks to justice, and urged UN Member States to cooperate with the Government of Egypt and all other relevant authorities.

Copts, who make up about one tenth of Egypt's population of more than 92 million and who celebrate Easter next weekend, have been targeted by several attacks in recent months.

Emergency services had scrambled to the scene when another bombing rocked the Saint Mark's church in Alexandria where Coptic Pope Tawadros II had been leading a Palm Sunday service.

In the wake of the attacks the Foreign Office updated its advice to Britons travelling to Egypt, saying they should "remain vigilant at all times and follow the advice of local security officials, including in and around religious sites and during religious festivals".

Sisi said a top-level council for fighting terrorism and extremism will also be established.

Christians have been increasingly targeted in Egypt following the overthrow of former Islamist president Mohammed Morsi in 2013.

The two attacks were claimed by Isis.

"Especially Palm Sunday, a day when many people gather, more than any other time in the year. The chandelier above me crashed to the floor", she said.

In his speech, the Pope took aim at terrorists who "spread violence and death" but also at "those who make and traffic in weapons", an attack on the Western countries which dominate the global arms trade.