Egypt's army foiled a militant car-bomb attack in North Sinai on Tuesday, the military said in a statement.

The armed forces, including the air force, discovered and destroyed a militant hideout used to conduct terrorist operations against the military, said armed forces spokesman Tamer El-Rifai.

"This is a continuation of the efforts of the armed forces in combating terrorist activity and pursuing militant elements,"  El-Rifai said.

Security forces have been battling an Islamist insurgency for several years in the restive northern part of Sinai, with hundreds killed on both sides.

Last month, the army foiled a major terror attack on a checkpoint in North Sinai, which could have left dozens killed.