Two bomb explode at hotel in Egypt

Egypt’s official state news agency says the prime minister has granted government workers a half-day off in a bid to boost the low voter turnout on the final day of the second stage of parliamentary elections.

Two policemen and a civilian were also killed, while 12 others – including two judges – were injured, according to the Interior Ministry.

According to the ministry statement, security forces opened fire on the vehicle causing it to explode.

State media also reported that a bomb killed a police officer Monday in northern Sinai. Al-Muhajer means migrant in Arabic and is used by militant groups to refer to foreign fighters, an indication that they were not from Egypt.

A third militant who gained access to the hotel’s rooms fired randomly at guests, killing a judge, the statement said.

Jihadists in the Sinai Peninsula, who have pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group, have killed hundreds of policemen and soldiers. The hotel had been housing 50 judges who had participated in the supervision of Egypt’s parliamentary elections. Russian Federation has said an explosive device placed onboard the Airbus 321-200 was to blame for the October 31 crash, which took place 23 minutes after takeoff from the resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh in southern Sinai. The suspensions have dealt a severe blow to Egypt’s vital tourism industry, deepening the country’s economic woes.

Morsi’s ouster unleashed a deadly police crackdown on his followers, and fuelled an Islamist insurgency in the Sinai Peninsula.

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi (second from right) chairs a meeting of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces in Cairo last week.