Suicide bomber blows himself up near ancient Egyptian temple in Luxor

A suicide bomber blew himself up near the ancient Egyptian temple of Karnak in Luxor on Wednesday.

Police in the city also confirmed having had an exchange of gunfire with two suspected Islamic militants, who were also killed.

Four people, including two policemen, were wounded in the exchange, according to the Health Ministry.

Wednesday's attack was the first to target world-famous attractions in Luxor since November 1997, when Islamic militants opened fire on tourists at the city's 3,400-year-old Hatshepsut Temple on the west bank of the Nile, killing 58.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for Wednesday's attack, but it bore the hallmarks of Islamic militants who have been battling security forces in the strategic Sinai Peninsula for years.