Egypt president extends state of emergency

CAIRO: Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah el Sisi extended for three months from Saturday a state of emergency for the fourth time since it was first declared last year, the official gazette said.

A nationwide state of emergency was first imposed in April last year after two church bombings claimed by the IS group killed at least 45 people, and was renewed in July, in October and in January.

“The armed forces and the police will take the necessary measures to confront the dangers of terrorism, its financing, and preserving security across the country,” the official gazette said.

It cited a decree issued by Sisi stating that the renewed threemonth state of emergency would take effect from 1:00 am on Saturday (2300 GMT Friday).

The emergency law expands police powers of arrest, surveillance and seizures and can limit freedom of movement. Under Egypt’s constitution, the three-month state of emergency can only be renewed once, but the president can subsequently reinstate it.

Prime Minister Sherif Ismail also extended an overnight curfew in parts of North Sinai, where IS’S Egypt affiliate is based, according to another decree published on Saturday by the official gazette.