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Egyptian parliament approves state of emergency

April 12, 2017 at 12:45 pm

People attend the funeral ceremony for the victims of the twin bomb attacks in Alexandria, Egypt on April 10, 2017. ( Ahmed Abd Alkawey – Anadolu Agency )

The Egyptian Parliament yesterday approved a three-month countrywide state of emergency after two deadly church bombings left at least 45 Coptic-Christians dead.

“Parliament Speaker Ali Abdel Aal has announced the assembly’s unanimous approval of the state of emergency,” Egypt’s state TV reported.

Addressing MPs, Prime Minister Sharif Ismail justified the move, which he said came as part of “the state’s ongoing efforts to eradicate terrorism.”

Twin bombing: Two killed in suicide bombing outside Alexandria church

On Monday, Egypt’s cabinet endorsed a presidential decree calling for the imposition of the state of emergency.

In a statement, the government said the state of emergency had technically gone into effect on Monday at 13:00 local time (11:00 GMT).

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi first called for the state of emergency after twin church attacks left 45 people dead and scores more injured in the cities of Tanta and Alexandria.

Daesh claimed responsibility for the deadly bombings, which occurred as Coptic Christians marked the Palm Sunday holiday.

The state of emergency allows the authorities to adopt a bundle of exceptional measures, including the referral of terrorism suspects to state security courts, the imposition of curfews and restrictions on the media.