The Egyptian government has hit out at the UK's decision to suspend flights from a popular tourist resort over fears a bomb caused the crash of a Russian airliner.
On Wednesday, Downing Street released a statement to say all flights had been halted from Sharm el-Sheikh to allow for safety checks after fresh intelligence about the plane crash in which all 224 passengers were killed.
A specialist team of security experts has been dispatched to carry out an assessment after the Government said the airliner "may well have been brought down by an explosive device".
Foreign secretary, Philip Hammond, said the Government is advising against all but essential travel through Sharm el-Sheikh airport in Egypt because of a “significant possibility” the plane was brought down by an explosion on board.
However, Egypt's foreign minister Sameh Shoukry told the BBC the decision was "a premature and unwarranted statement" which risked harming the country's much needed tourism industry.
It comes on the eve of a scheduled visit by Egyptian President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi, who is due for talks with David Cameron on Thursday.
All those on board the flight - mostly Russian tourists - were killed when the Metrojet plane bound for St Petersburg from Sharm el-Sheikh came down in the Sinai desert on Saturday.
The cause of the crash has come under scrutiny following the lack of an SOS call, which has fuelled suggestions it was down to a bomb or missile. Egypt has already dismissed claims it was the work of Islamist terrorists.
Downing Street said the suspension of flights would allow experts to assess security arrangements to determine whether any further action is needed. The work is expected to be concluded on Wednesday night.
The Irish Aviation Authority also directed Irish airlines not to fly to the area.
