A presidential committee tasked with rectifying the status of unlicensed Christian places of worship, chaired by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, approved on Monday legalizing 88 churches and service buildings that used to be operating without permit.

This brings to 1,109 the total number of unlicensed Christian places of worship and service buildings that have been granted legal status so far in Egypt.

In statements on Monday, Cabinet Spokesman said that the committee reviewed the outcome of studies conducted over the past four months to consider applications submitted by unlicensed churches aiming to legalize their status.

Meanwhile, the premier issued strict instructions to all governors to take all measures necessary to follow up the work of the committee and to coordinate with the heads of the Christian sects in order to meet the civil protection's conditions for the rest of the churches.