Egypt’s House of Representatives approved, on Thursday, the extension of the nationwide state of emergency for a further three months, effective as of 24 January 2021.
House Speaker Hanafi Gebali revealed that more than two-thirds of MPs approved the extension.
In April 2020, President Adel Fattah Al-Sisi ordered for the nationwide state of emergency to be extended due to “serious security and health conditions” in the country.
The presidential decree No 176 of 2020 stipulates that the Armed Forces and Police are to take the necessary measures to confront terrorism, maintain security, and protect private and public installations as well as citizens’ lives.
Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly has been delegated the powers of the president specified in the law No 162 of 1958 regarding the state of emergency, the decree added. Whoever violates the orders will be penalised according to the law.
The nationwide state of emergency was first imposed in April 2017, following two church bombings during Palm Sunday celebrations which left at least 45 dead and over 100 injured.
