Coptic Christians celebrate Christmas

Coptic Christians have been celebrating Christmas amid tightened security in Egypt and Europe.

In the Egyptian capital Cairo the Coptic Pope was joined in the city’s cathedral by the orthodox religion’s other leaders, a host of dignitaries and worshippers.

For the moment fears of an attack similar to the New Year’s bombing at a church in Alexandria which killed 21 people have not materialised.

Authorities suspect an al-Qaeda inspired suicide bomber was behind the blast. That has stoked the North African state’s already tense ethnic divisions.

Many Coptic Christians have complained of discrimination and criticised the police for being too slow to punish religious motivated violence.

Copyright © 2012 euronews