File Photo: A special forces police officer stands guard to secure the area around Saint Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral before a Coptic Christmas mass in Cairo January 6, 2015 (Photo: Reuters)
Egypt's interior ministry said it has intensified security measures nationwide ahead of Christmas and New Year Eve.
Security directorates deployed security in main streets, axes and squares, and around vital institutions and houses of worship, to maintain security and respond promptly and decisively to those who attempt to disturb celebrations, read a statement.
The plans include boosting the security presence and deploying security checkpoints to monitor conditions, and providing rapid deployment forces in vital areas.
The ministry also deployed inspection forces and secret services units, and female police to help in inspection and security operations.
Coptic Egyptians, who make up 90 percent of all Christians in the country, celebrate Christmas on 7 January.
Egypt is also home to a number of other denominations which observe Christmas on 25 December.
Over the past years, terrorist attacks targeting churches during religious holiday seasons have left dozens of Christians killed and injured.
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