An Egyptian presidential committee tasked with reviewing the status of unlicensed Christian places of worship is set to legalise 120 unlicensed churches in the country, Al-Ahram Arabic news website reported.

This latest decision will bring the total number of unlicensed churches to receive legal status to 340 since Egypt passed a law easing regulations on church building in 2016.

The presidential committee is headed by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and its members include Minister of Legislative Councils Omar Shahin and Minister of Local Development Mahmoud Sharawy, as well as representatives from different state institutions.