Hossam Kamal

Russia ordered a halt today to flights to Egypt as concerns grew that a bomb downed a Russian plane after takeoff from its Sharm el-Sheikh resort, while British carriers started to evacuate holidaymakers.

Egypt's civil aviation ministry denied reports that authorities had stopped British airlines from flying into Sharm al-Sheikh airport today to bring home stranded tourists, saying that flights were limited by the airport's capacity.

US President Barack Obama and British Prime Minister David Cameron both believe a bomb may have downed a Russian plane in Egypt, with reports today suggesting their view was based on intercepted communications between militants.

US President Barack Obama and British Prime Minister David Cameron raised the possibility on Thursday that a bomb brought down a Russian plane that crashed over Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, undermining efforts by Cairo and Moscow to downplay the suggestion of an attack.

Russia ordered a halt today to flights to Egypt as concerns grew that a bomb downed a Russian plane after takeoff from its Sharm el-Sheikh resort, while British carriers started to evacuate holidaymakers.

Egypt's civil aviation ministry denied reports that authorities had stopped British airlines from flying into Sharm al-Sheikh airport today to bring home stranded tourists, saying that flights were limited by the airport's capacity.

US President Barack Obama and British Prime Minister David Cameron both believe a bomb may have downed a Russian plane in Egypt, with reports today suggesting their view was based on intercepted communications between militants.

US President Barack Obama and British Prime Minister David Cameron raised the possibility on Thursday that a bomb brought down a Russian plane that crashed over Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, undermining efforts by Cairo and Moscow to downplay the suggestion of an attack.