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21:09 GMT
CAIRO, Oct 24 (KUNA) -- The death toll caused by a car bomb against a security checkpoint on Friday in Al-Arish city in North Sinai governorate reached 26 soldiers, a security source said, adding that 28 others were injured in the same blast.
In a statement to Middle East News Agency (MENA), the source said that the bodies of the killed and the injured were transferred by military helicopters in Cairo. The injured are hospitalized, it noted.
Eyewitnesses said that army and police forces are searching for perpetrators and terrorists.
As a result, President Abdelfatah Al-Sisi called for convening the National Defence Council this evening to follow up the latest development in Sinai.
A-Sisi then announced a three-day mourning period nationwide.
Today's blast came only days after 10 people, including four officers and two conscripts, were injured in a blast that targeted security men outside Cairo University in Giza.
Meanwhile, Spain and France Friday condemned strongly the blast.
France condemns "in the strongest terms" the attacks and offers its condolences to the victims' families, said a statement made by French Foreign Ministry.
France stresses it solidarity with the Egyptian people and government and support them in combating terrorism, it noted.
Spain condemns the blast and expressed its readiness to continue supporting Egypt and international community in combating terrorism in all its forms, a statement by Foreign Ministry said.
The statement also added that Spain hopes speedy recovery to the injured and offers condolences to the victims' families. (pickup previous)
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