Hours earlier, the Egyptian military launched an offensive in the region against suspected Islamist militants¹ which it says has killed 20 people.

 

The campaign comes after militants killed 16 Egyptian border guards in the area on Sunday.

 

On Wednesday, more attacks followed on checkpoints in the town of al-Arish.

 

Those attacks left a number of people wounded and the military offensive was launched hours later.

 

The sacking of the country's intelligence chief was announced in a statement on state-run TV.

 

"Gen Mohamed Murad Mowafi is given retirement² starting from today," presidential spokesman Yasser Ali said.

 

Gen Mowafi had been quoted in Egyptian media as saying that the intelligence services had received warning of Sunday's attack.

 

However, he said they had only passed the matter on to the relevant authorities, saying that the intelligence services' job was only to collect information. 

 

Mr Mursi has appointed an acting³ intelligence chief, Gen Mohamed Raafat Abdel-Wahed.

 

He also dismissed the commander of the presidential guard, as well as several other top security officials.

 

Sunday's attack was the the deadliest and most brazen⁴ against Egyptian troops in the Sinai region for decades, and Mr Mursi had faced criticism for not taking decisive action in response.

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