Egyptian military spokesman Ahmed Ali on Tuesday denied the presence in Egypt of foreign military bases or Israeli-manufactured communications devices at a Tuesday press conference.

"Reports about Israeli communication devices in Egyptian F-16 fighter planes are false," said the spokesman, stressing that such claims came as arms deals between Israel and other countries – not including Egypt – were ongoing.

Ali went on to deny the existence of foreign military bases in Egypt, stressing that cooperation was ongoing between Egypt's armed forces and a number of countries, including the US.

"In Egypt we have a well-built base to protect national security; our [national] sovereignty does not permit the presence of foreign bases," said Ali, stressing the distinction between military cooperation and the existence of foreign military bases.

On Egypt's continued military operations in the restive Sinai Peninsula, Ali said that operations were ongoing with the help of police.

The operation, aimed at eliminating armed groups in the area, was initially launched following the 5 August attack near Egypt's border with the Gaza Strip that left 16 Egyptian border guards dead.

"The media claims that military operations have failed in Sinai, but this is inaccurate," said Ali. "The army has succeeded in demolishing 104 tunnels discovered using satellite imagery."