A news conference with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi and German Chancellor Angela Merkel has ended in tumult after a woman yelled "he is a murderer" and was taken out of the building by security.

Other cries of "down with the military rule" came from the room, while el-Sissi supporters yelled "long live Egypt" as the two leaders left the room.

During the news conference, Mr el-Sissi defended the tentative death sentence handed to his predecessor Mohamed Morsi last month.

He said Mr Morsi, whom he ousted from power, will have chances to appeal.

Ms Merkel said she had brought up the issues of human rights abuses and the death penalty as areas where the two countries had "differences of opinion."

She stressed, however, that Egypt was a key strategic partner in the Mideast.