Egyptian lawmakers will resume debate Oct. 26 on President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s request for authority to help defend Saudi Arabia if asked, amid concerns about Red Sea shipping.
Speaker Hisham Badawi adjourned the Oct. 19 sitting and scheduled further deliberations, Egypt Today reported. Akhbar el-Yom reported that lawmakers took no vote at the session. The House General Secretariat convened the emergency sitting after El-Sisi raised the proposal, according to an announcement carried by Egypt’s State Information Service. El-Sisi said assistance would depend on a Saudi request.
For an overseas combat mission, Article 152 of Egypt’s Constitution requires consultation with the National Defense Council and approval from two-thirds of House of Representatives members. The council, chaired by El-Sisi, pledged support for Saudi Arabia on Oct. 18 and urged diplomacy to ease regional tensions, the presidency said. Its published decision gave no form or timetable for assistance.
Egypt has participated in a Saudi-led military coalition before. A United Nations human rights report lists it among the countries involved in operations in Yemen that began in 2015.
Shipping security also has economic stakes for Egypt. The Suez Canal Authority describes the canal as a major source of foreign currency and says Red Sea security concerns have affected traffic. At a Sept. 15 meeting, El-Sisi and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman backed safe passage through the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb, the Egyptian presidency said.
Lawmakers are scheduled to resume deliberations at 4 a.m. ET (8 a.m. UTC) on Oct. 26.
