Egyptian officials say they've stepped up security in parts of the country following the death of Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.

The extremist group's leader was killed a day earlier during a U.S. military raid in Syria.

Egypt has for years battled an IS-led insurgency in the restive northern part of the Sinai Peninsula. Security forces have also fought IS and al-Qaida militants in the western desert along the border with Libya.

Militants have carried out scores of attacks in recent years, mainly targeting security forces and minority Christians.

The officials spoke on conditions of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief the media.

Separately, Ahmed Hafez, spokesman for Egypt's foreign ministry, called al-Baghdadi's death ``an important step in the quest towards eradicating terrorism.''

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