Egyptian Parliament Postpones Vote on Supporting Saudi Arabia to October 26

The Egyptian Parliament today, Monday, postponed voting on President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi’s request to approve a mandate to intervene at the request of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to defend its security and stability. Speaker of the Parliament, Hesham Badawi, adjourned the plenary session today, with the house scheduled to reconvene next Monday, October 26. A second closed session was held today, during which the parliament heard statements from several MPs, continuing the discussions that took place during yesterday’s Sunday session. The parliamentary session follows President el-Sisi’s request for the necessary mandate to take measures to support Saudi Arabia militarily, should the Kingdom request such support, a step subject to the constitutional regulations governing the deployment of the Egyptian armed forces on combat missions outside the country’s borders. The National Defense Council, chaired by President el-Sisi, had previously announced its approval to provide all necessary support to Saudi Arabia and stand by its side. On Saturday, President el-Sisi stated that “Egypt will not allow any infringement on Saudi Arabia’s security, and in accordance with the directives of King Salman and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, any measures to protect and defend the Kingdom will be implemented.” The Egyptian president added, during his speech at the graduation ceremony of the first cohort of the Military Academy: “I know that this matter requires parliamentary approval, and I hope the parliament will convene in an emergency session and grant us the mandate if the situation requires it.” The Egyptian Constitution, adopted in 2014, stipulates in Article 152 that the armed forces shall not be deployed on combat missions outside the country’s borders unless the opinion of the National Defense Council is obtained and the House of Representatives approves by a two-thirds majority of its members.