Parliament’s General Committee approves state of emergency

CAIRO – 22 October 2017: The Parliament’s General Committee has approved President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi’s decision to extend the national state of emergency for three months on Sunday.

The committee meeting, presided over by Prime Minister Sherif Ismail and Parliamentary Speaker Ali Abdel Aal, discussed the government’s reasons for extending the state of emergency all over the country; the final decision however will be issued during the Parliament’s general session after voting.

Ismail vowed that the government will not use the law except when needed to stop terrorism in the country. “It won’t be used as an excuse for any human rights violations,” Ismail affirmed; adding that it won't cause any contradictions between the public’s rights and the law.

He added that announcing the state of emergency was a “necessary decision” to preserve the country’s security and stability, just like any other political procedure.

During his speech to the parliament Sunday, Ismail said that recent terrorist attacks indicate that the “we are on the right track” fighting terrorism, “and nothing will stop us.”

On October 12, Sisi extended the national state of emergency for three months.

According to the decision, the armed forces and police authorities are given the authority to take the measures necessary to combat terror risks, maintain security across the country and protect public and private properties.

On Friday October 22, seventeen security officers were killed during clashes with militants in the Western Desert, Giza-Al Wahat Road.