Coptic Christian bishop found dead in Egypt monastery

A Coptic bishop was found murdered inside a monastery in the desert northwest of Cairo on Sunday, Egypt's Coptic Orthodox Church said, in the latest suspected attack on Christians in the country.

Bishop Epiphanius is head of Anba Makar Monastery near Wadi el-Natroun in coastal Beheira province.

Security officials say Bishop Epiphanius' head was smashed open and there were injuries to his back. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to brief media.

"The Coptic Orthodox church is awaiting the results of the official investigations" the church said in a statement.

Preparations for the bishop's funeral will be announced at a later date.

Christians constitute around 10 percent of Egypt's predominantly Muslim population. Sectarian violence erupts occasionally, mainly in rural communities in the south.

Egypt's Christian minority has been targeted by Islamic State group militants in a series of attacks since December 2016 that left more than 100 dead and scores wounded.