Egypt's parliament postpones vote on authorising military support for Saudi Arabia

Egypt’s parliament has postponed its vote on President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s request to authorise military support for Saudi Arabia, extending deliberations to Monday, two lawmakers told AFP (Dawn, LBC).

One lawmaker said the emergency session was extended “to give all lawmakers the opportunity to speak and express their views”, while another said proceedings would continue on Monday “to allow all lawmakers to be heard”.

The postponement leaves the question of Egyptian military involvement in Saudi Arabia’s defence unresolved overnight. Sisi asked parliament on Saturday to authorise defensive measures at the kingdom’s request, saying: “Egypt is ready to take any measure Saudi Arabia requests to defend its security and sovereignty.”

Parliament had convened in an emergency plenary at 1pm Cairo time on Sunday under Speaker Hesham Badawy. Article 152 of Egypt’s constitution requires any foreign combat mission to be backed by consultation with the National Defence Council and approval by two-thirds of the House of Representatives.

Earlier on Sunday, the National Defence Council met under Sisi and pledged “all necessary and possible” assistance to Saudi Arabia, though the presidency’s own statement did not explicitly announce a troop deployment.