The Egyptian government has approved a new terrorism law and sent it to the presidency for ratification.

The bill had been in discussion for months following the spread of militant attacks against Egyptian army and police forces.

Egypt's State Council revised the law and sent it back to the cabinet earlier on Thursday.

The law is reported to amend terrorism clauses in Egypt's penal code and stipulate harsher penalties for terrorism-related crimes.

Egypt's largest political group, the Muslim Brotherhood, was designated a terrorist organisation in December.

Security forces have been pursuing Brotherhood members and supporters arresting thousands after the ouster of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in July. Over 200 police and army personnel and hundreds more protesters have been killed in clashes since then.