The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the twin attacks on churches on Palm Sunday, one of the holiest days of the Christian calendar.
Afghanistan on Tuesday strongly condemned the terrorist attacks that targeted two churches in cities of Tanta and Alexandria in Egypt, which killed and injured dozens of people.
Shortly after, St. Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral in Alexandria, where Pope Tawadros II was giving a sermon, witnessed an explosion, killing at least 16 and injured 41 others.
In the wake of the two deadly church blasts, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi announced a three-day nationwide mourning and a three-month state of emergency after certain legal measures are implemented.
El-Sissi called for the state of emergency, which parliament must approve first, after a meeting with his national security council on Sunday. The bomb was planted under a seat in the main prayer hall, according to Egyptian state media.
Germany says Muslims in Egypt should show solidarity with their Christian compatriots.
The Palm Sunday attacks, the single deadliest day for Egypt's Christians in decades, rattled the community and prompted messages of support from overseas, including from Pope Francis, who is set to visit Egypt in the coming weeks, and President Donald Trump.
N. Ireland remains in limbo as talks deadline passes
Sinn Féin has previously said it would not agree to Foster being First Minister until an inquiry into the "cash for ash" controversy has concluded.
Coptic Christians make up around 10 percent of Egypt's population.
The aftermath of an explosion that took place at a Coptic church on Sunday in Tanta, Egypt, April 9, 2017.
"A group of Daesh sympathisers were hiding in one of Assiut province s mountainous areas", the ministry said in a statement, using an Arabic acronym for IS. "The security was right at the door, but the attacker managed to get in anyway".
According to Egypt's constitution, parliament must vote in favour of such a declaration - a virtual certainty since the legislature is packed with supporters of President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi.
The group was also planning attacks against police and courts, the ministry said.
He also expressed hope that an upcoming visit to Egypt by Pope Francis, the leader of the Roman Catholic Church, will send a "very strong message of peace and hope".
Israel meanwhile closed its Taba border crossing to Egypt after its anti-terrorism office warned of an "imminent" attack there, underlining fears of more violence.
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