Egypt’s parliament voted in favor of the presidential decree No. 329, which calls for extending the state of emergency in North Sinai for three more months. A number of parliamentarians from North Sinai opposed the decree, stating that the state of emergency represents a burden for the residents of the region. Parliamentary Speaker Ali Abdel Aal said that he will discuss with the government the possibility of lightening up the security measures of the state of emergency. The official newspaper reported on July 10 that a presidential decree has been issued to extend the state of emergency in Sinai for three more months, starting from July 29. The Egyptian constitution states that the president may declare a state of emergency after consultation with the cabinet. However, “such declaration must be presented to the House of Representatives within the following seven days to decide thereon as it deems fit,” according to Article 154 of the constitution. The declaration must be approved by a majority of the House members. Militant insurgency has surged in North Sinai since the military ouster of Islamist President Mohamed Morsi in July 2013 after mass protests against…
