An appeals court in Egypt yesterday sentenced Ibrahim Issa, the outspoken editor of a local newspaper, to two months in jail in a case likely to provoke a local and international outcry about press freedom in the country. Mr Issa was not in court but said he would serve his sentence.

"I believe this ruling opens the gates of hell to Egyptian journalism," he said. "It takes us back to square one." He was convicted in March by a lower court of publishing "false news" about the health of Hosni Mubarak, the president.