Egypt uncovers 2.75 tonne explosive cache

Egyptian police found 2.75 tonnes of explosives in central Sinai, a security official said.

The explosives, hidden in 54 plastic bags, were found during a search in the el-Gefgafa area, 100km southwest of the coastal town of El Arish, the official said on a customary condition of anonymity.

Police seized 250kg of explosives in northern Sinai on Aug. 19. Officials said at the time they suspected the explosives were destined for smuggling into the Palestinian territories.

Egyptian police routinely find large quantities of explosives and ammunition in Sinai, sometimes hidden in tunnels near the border with neighbouring Gaza. On Aug. 5 they found 500kg of explosives in el-Gefgafa.

Egypt said in July the smuggling of weapons, ammunition and drugs through tunnels from Egypt into Gaza had dropped since the Islamist movement Hamas took control in June.

Israel has accused Egypt of not doing enough to stop smuggling, and the US House of Representatives has proposed cutting $US200 ($NZ289) million of annual military aid to Egypt unless it improves border security and its human rights record.

- Reuters