Egypt police ramp up security after new austerity measures

The ministry of interior made the announcement in a statement on Saturday, following the steep increases to fuel and cooking gas prices.

"Security services have increased their presence at petrol stations and bus stations to prevent any violations taking place," the statement said.

A security source told state-run media that "anyone caught disregarding the price hikes will have legal action taken against them".

Authorities made the increases as people have been celebrating Eid al-Fitr, the holiday that comes at the end of the holy month of Ramadan.

They likely fear the hikes could cause protests such as when dozens of people demonstrated against an increase in fares for the Cairo metro in May.

This is the third time the government has increased fuel prices since austerity measures were announced in late 2015. The move is likely to send prices soaring further.

Egypt has imposed harsh austerity measures and started phasing out subsidies on many goods and services since November 2016, when the International Monetary Fund approved a three-year $12 billion loan.

Price hikes and a proposed income tax law in Jordan sparked angry but peaceful protests earlier this month that brought down the prime minister.