Egypt launches strikes on Libya 'terror camps' after bus attack

Egypt has launched airstrikes on "terror camps" in Libya in response to the slaughter of Coptic Christians earlier on Friday.

The country's air force launched six strikes over its western border on Friday evening, with state media reporting jihadist training camps in the Libyan port city of Derna were targeted.

The area, in the east of Libya, is controlled by jihadists close to Al-Qaeda.

The action followed the killing of at least 28 people when masked gunmen attacked a bus of Coptic Christians travelling south of Egyptian capital Cairo.

A large number of the victims were reported to be children, including a two-year-old girl.

Announcing the strikes, Egypt's president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi insisted he would "not hesitate in striking terror camps anywhere", whether inside his country or outside.

In a message to US president Donald Trump, the Egyptian leader added: "You have said that your priority is to confront terrorism, and I trust you are capable of doing that."

Mr Trump had earlier joined world leaders in denouncing the latest killing of Coptic Christians in Egypt.

In a statement, the US president said: "The bloodletting of Christians must end, and all who aid their killers must be punished."

"Terrorists are engaged in a war against civilisation, and it is up to all who value life to confront and defeat this evil."

Pope Francis, who made a historic visit to Egypt last month, branded the attack a "senseless act of hatred".

Image:The action followed the killing of at least 28 in a bus attack by masked gunmen

Al-Sisi declared a state of emergency in Egypt following the bombing of two Coptic churches by Islamic State in April.

Libya's militant strongholds have come under further scrutiny since Monday's terror attack in Manchester, which left 22 dead.

Suicide bomber Salman Abedi, the British-born son of Libyan parents, is believed to have recently visited the north African country before carrying out the attack on a pop concert.

Speaking at a G7 summit in Sicily on Friday, Theresa May said Abedi's links with Libya will "undoubtedly shine a spotlight on this largely ungoverned space on the edge of Europe".

The Prime Minister said: "We must redouble our support for a UN-led effort that brings all parties to the negotiating table and reduces the threat of terror from that region."