Egypt's Interior Ministry on Sunday (April 16th) announced the arrest of 13 suspected "terrorists" allegedly planning to attack Christian and public institutions, AFP reported.
The announcement came as Egypt's Christians marked Easter under tight security a week after Palm Sunday bombings claimed by the "Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant" (ISIL) killed 45 people at churches in Tanta and Alexandria.
The "13 terrorist elements" belonged to cells preparing attacks against "government and Christian institutions" and police in four northern provinces, including Alexandria, a ministry statement said.
It was not immediately clear when the arrests took place.
Security forces also have discovered two farms in Alexandria and the neighbouring province of Beheira that were used to make explosives and store weapons, the ministry added.
Meanwhile, the Egyptian armed forces held Easter prayer services on Saturday for those injured in the Palm Sunday bombings, Egypt's Ahram Online reported.
The prayer services were held in Al-Galaa Military Hospital and Maadi Military Hospital, and were attended by those injured in the blasts who are now receiving treatment in the two military facilities, along with their families.
The bombings were the latest in a series of attacks against Christians, who make up around 10% of Egypt's population of 90 million.
In Sinai, extremists killed seven Copts in January and February, forcing dozens of Christian families to flee the peninsula.
