Coptic Christians were
preparing to celebrate Christmas Eve amid tight security after a bomb
attack on a church in Egypt in which 23 died.
Armed Egyptian police have been ordered to protect churches where Copts are expected to gather in large numbers.
There have been calls for Muslims to hold vigils outside Coptic churches in a gesture of solidarity.
But some radical Islamist websites have urged more attacks, publishing church addresses in Egypt and Europe.
The bombing of the al-Qiddissin Church in Alexandria on New
Year's Day was the worst act of sectarian violence in Egypt in a decade.
It triggered days of protests and riots by Christians blaming
the government for encouraging discrimination and not doing enough to
protect them.
In response, the Egyptian authorities have stepped up security around many churches, with explosives experts on hand.
Armoured vehicles have also been stationed in key areas.
One device containing nails and
fireworks was found in a church staircase in the southern city of Minya
but it had no detonator and one security official told Associated Press
it may have been placed there to test security.
Egyptian activists had called for Muslims to form human
shields around churches during
Thursday's Christmas Eve celebrations as a
gesture of solidarity with Christians.
However, radical Islamist websites have been circulating
lists of Coptic churches in Egypt and Europe with instructions on how to
attack them.
"Blow up the churches while they are celebrating Christmas or
any other time when the churches are packed," says a line from a video
attributed to al-Qaeda, called Jihadi Encyclopaedia for the Destruction
of the Cross, that has been widely circulated on the internet.
Pope Benedict XVI used his weekly address in St Peter's
Square in the Vatican on Thursday to send "heartfelt greetings and best
wishes to our brothers and sisters of the Eastern Churches who will
celebrate Christmas tomorrow".
In the wake of the Egypt attack, he said: "May the goodness
of God... strengthen the faith, hope and charity of everyone and give
comfort to the communities that are being tested."
Copts celebrate Christmas on 7 January, according to the
Julian calendar. Some European governments have also announced security
measures at churches.
The BBC's Jon Leyne in Cairo says suspicion and fear between
Christians and Muslims has been growing in Egypt for some time, made
worse by tough economic conditions and a discredited political system.
It was during Coptic Christmas Eve celebrations in southern
Egypt in 2009 that six Christians and a Muslim security guard were
killed in a drive-by shooting.
The country's Coptic Christian minority makes up between 7% and 14% of Egypt's 80 million people.
SIC: BBC/UK