EGYPT’S PARLIAMENT POSTPONES VOTE ON SAUDI DEFENSIVE AID

Egypt’s parliament postponed a Sunday vote on whether to authorise defensive military support for Saudi Arabia. President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi had asked lawmakers to approve assistance if Riyadh requested it. In a Saturday statement, parliament said it would “hold the council’s plenary session at 1 pm (1000GMT)” on Sunday, 18 October. Lawmakers are due to continue discussing the proposal on Monday.

Speaking at a graduation ceremony at the Egyptian Military Academy in the New Capital on Saturday, Sisi said Egypt would take all necessary measures to defend Saudi Arabia if asked. He called for an emergency parliamentary session to consider the proposed authorisation. Saudi Arabia has recently come under attacks by Yemen’s Houthi group. The Houthis seized Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, and several provinces in September 2014. A Saudi-led coalition intervened in March 2015 in support of Yemen’s internationally recognised government.

The latest fighting in Yemen began in July after a truce agreed in 2022 collapsed. Egypt’s foreign minister discussed efforts to reduce regional tensions by phone with his Pakistani counterpart on Sunday afternoon. Sisi has linked Gulf security to Egypt’s national security. He said any Egyptian action to defend Saudi Arabia would require parliamentary approval.