Egypt’s parliament on Sunday approved extending the current state of emergency for an additional three months from Monday, following a previous presidential decree.
The parliament’s approval came after a statement from Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly in which he said that in view of the current circumstances in Egypt and the efforts made to uproot the causes of terrorism, the cabinet decided to approve the extension.
Madbouly said that the government renewed its commitment to the use of exceptional measures only to the extent that it ensures a balance between the protection of public freedoms and the requirements of national security.
Egypt imposed the state of emergency for the first time in April 2017 after terrorist attacks on two churches in Tanta and Alexandria, which left some 45 people dead. It was then extended every three months, last of which was on July 14.
The parliament’s approval came after reviewing the general committee’s report in which it recommended enabling the security forces of confronting terrorist organizations and uncovering their resources and foreign connections.
The committee explained that “the declaration of a state of emergency came to protect citizens by taking the necessary measures to maintain public security.” It praised the prime minister's commitment to only declare the emergency law when necessary and maintain the balance between the protection of public freedoms and the requirements of national security.
The committee pointed out that the terrorist attacks that Egypt witnessed and continue to, forces the country to be vigilant to all threats against its security. It noted that due to the previous imposition of state of emergency, Egypt succeeded in apprehending several criminal formations.
In accordance with the decision of the President of the Republic, the armed forces and the police force will take the necessary measures to counter the dangers and financing of terrorism, maintain security throughout the country, protect public and private properties and protect citizens.
In turn, head of the parliament’s majority coalition, Support Egypt, Abdul Hadi al-Kasabi, indicated that Egypt’s political, economic and social achievements at home and abroad could not have been maintained without the security, noting that “there are those who seek to intervene in Egypt’s internal affairs and tamper with its security.”
