Egyptian minister survives car bombing

A convoy carrying Egypt’s interior minister has been targeted by a car bombing in Cairo’s Nasr City district.

Officials say the minister, Mohammed Ibrahim, survived the attack.

They said it was not clear whether the late morning explosion was caused by a suicide car bombing or an explosives-laden vehicle detonated by remote control. No other casualty details were immediately available.

The interior minister is in charge of the country’s police force.

Nasr City is a stronghold of the Muslim Brotherhood, the Islamist group from which ousted president Mohammed Morsi hails.

It was also the site of a sit-in protest by his supporters which was stormed by police on August 14, killing hundreds.

Mr Ibrahim later said his convoy was targeted by a ``large'' explosive device that was likely detonated by remote control.

Speaking on state television afterwards, a clearly shaken but unscathed Mr Ibrahim said the explosion had targeted his own car. He said four other cars in the convoy were damaged.

The interior minister said two police officers in the convoy were in serious condition and that a child who was near the explosion suffered a serious leg injury.

The attack on Mr Ibrahim marks the first time a senior government official has been targeted.