Al Arish: Egyptian authorities on Saturday found weapons and explosives in the Sinai desert they believe were destined for the Gaza Strip, a security official said.

"Security forces found eight plastic bags containing 400kg of TNT explosives in a warehouse near the town of Al Arish," the official said.

"We believe the explosives were headed for the Gaza Strip." The official said that nine automatic weapons were also found in another warehouse in central Sinai after a tip-off from Bedouins.