Egypt says embassies smuggling weapons amid revolt

"It has been noticed of late that some foreign embassies in Cairo have tried to bring some weapons and communications equipment in diplomatic bags, relying on the principle of immunity," the ministry said in a statement yesterday.

It added that the "concerned authorities reserve the right to confiscate any weapon or technological equipment that would require a permit in Egypt," the statement added.

The foreign ministry did not specify which embassies it believed had tried to smuggle weapons, and did not immediately respond to calls seeking clarification.