Russian plane crash: Egyptian media claim bomb concerns are 'Western terrorism' intended to ruin economy

'The people defy the conspiracy - Egypt will not cave in to pressures'

Relations between Britain and Egypt have appeared strained since the crash, following accusations of a rush to judgement by British and US officials (GETTY)

Egyptian media have reacted with fury at claims by Britain and the US that a Russian jet was brought down by a bomb, branding it "Western terrorism" designed to ruin the country's economy.

Last week, Britain banned all flights to and from Sharm el-Sheikh airport, a move followed by Russia over the weekend, over intelligence reports a branch of Isis in the Sinai wwas responsible for planting a bomb on the Metrojet plane.

In response, newspapers and TV stations have claimed the West has restricted flights to Egypt because it wants to scare off tourists and undermine the country.

"The people defy the conspiracy - Egypt will not cave in to pressures," read the front-page headline of the state-owned Al-Gomhur newspaper.

"Egypt stands up to 'the West's terrorism'," an independent daily, El-Watan, was headlined.

The rhetoric reflects a deep reluctance in the press to level serious criticism against President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi's government.

Government-owned and independent media have lionised President el-Sissi and depicted him as Egypt's saviour since he led the army's 2013 ouster of Islamist President Mohammad Morsi.

"Denial on behalf of the state that there is a crisis and then trying to point to some kind of third party is very normal" in Egypt, said Hebatalla Taha, an Egypt-focused analyst at the International Institute for Strategic Studies.

Egyptian authorities have said they are looking at all possible scenarios in the crash, but suggest speculation should stop until the conclusion of the investigation.

They accuse Britain and the US of a rush to judgement after Prime Minister David Cameron said at a press conference with Egypt's President that it was "more likely than not" a bomb downed the plane.

All 244 passengers aboard Metrojet flight A321 died when it crashed in the Sinai Peninsula.

Additional reporting by Associated Press