Egypt's Cabinet approves anti-terror bill amid mounting terrorist attacks

Egypt's Cabinet approved on Wednesday an anti-terror law amid ongoing confrontations between security forces and militants in the restive Sinai Peninsula, official MENA news agency reported.

The new law is expected to include articles that would accelerate the trials of defendants charged with violent and terrorist acts.

After the assassination of Prosecutor General Hesham Barakat in a car bombing Monday, the country's leadership has urged tougher legal procedures with the extremists charged with violence and terrorism.

The approval of the anti-terror law comes hours after terrorist attacks on military checkpoints in North Sinai left tens of soldiers killed and injured.

Meanwhile, the military spokesman said Wednesday that the Armed Forces killed 22 of Sinai militants and that they are currently launching air raids on militant hideouts in the peninsula.

Shortly after, security forces killed nine Islamist extremists, including a Muslim Brotherhood lawyer, in fire exchanges in 6th of October City in Giza.

The bloody clashes came one day after the second anniversary of June 30 mass protests that toppled Islamist President Mohamed Morsi in 2013.