Egyptian policemen reportedly killed in ambush

Militants have reportedly attacked and killed at least 24 Egyptian policemen according to officials.

The ambush attack took place in the Sinai peninsula as the police were travelling in two buses. They came under attack from armed men close to the town of Rafah on the Gaza border.

Injured police were also reported.

BBC has reported security sources as saying that armed men had stopped the police buses and forced the passengers to get out before shooting them.

The latest attack comes as European Union ambassadors are to meet today to discuss the escalating death toll due to the unrest in Egypt.

European Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso and the president of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy have issued a joint statement warning that the EU would "urgently" review its relations with Egypt over the coming days.

"Violence in Egypt must end immediately. No alternative to dialogue.  EU will review relations," Van Rompuy said on Twitter.

Violence in #Egypt must end immediately. No alternative to dialogue. EU will review relations http://t.co/lRG1sflaex — Herman Van Rompuy (@euHvR) August 18, 2013