Egypt's parliament delays vote on Sisi bid to help defend Saudi Arabia
Egypt's parliament met on Sunday to weigh a request from President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. He wants lawmakers to let Egypt help defend Saudi Arabia if the kingdom asks, AFP and Reuters reported. Two lawmakers said the vote was put off until Monday, according to AFP.
Egypt's parliament postponed a vote on Sunday on President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi's request to authorize Egypt to help defend Saudi Arabia if the kingdom asks, two lawmakers said, according to AFP. Debate will continue on Monday, AFP reported. One lawmaker said the session was extended "to give all lawmakers the opportunity to speak and express their views," AFP reported.
Sisi made the request Saturday at a graduation ceremony at Egypt's military academy, AFP and Reuters reported. He said any deployment would need parliament's approval and asked lawmakers to meet in an emergency session, AFP and Reuters reported. Parliament then said it would meet at 1 in the afternoon Cairo time on Sunday, Reuters reported.
"It is inconceivable that we would allow Saudi Arabia, its security or stability to be harmed," Sisi said, according to Reuters. "I'm not talking about fighting anyone or attacking anyone," he said, according to AFP.
Sisi said Egypt would act in line with the guidance of Saudi King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, AFP and Reuters reported.
Saudi Arabia leads a military coalition that backs Yemen's internationally recognized government against the Iran-backed Houthis, AFP reported. Fighting in Yemen has reignited, and the Houthis have attacked Saudi targets, including Riyadh's international airport, AFP and Reuters reported. AFP reported that the fighting resumed in July and that 13 people were killed in an attack on the airport last week. Reuters reported that the Houthis have also attacked the state oil company Saudi Aramco.
Egypt joined the Saudi-led intervention in Yemen in 2015, AFP and Reuters reported. AFP reported that Egypt's role has mostly focused on protecting Red Sea shipping routes rather than front-line fighting. Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states have given Egypt billions of dollars in aid, central bank deposits and investment, Reuters reported.
What we know: Sisi asked parliament to authorize helping defend Saudi Arabia if asked, and lawmakers put off their vote from Sunday to Monday, according to AFP.
What we don't: How parliament will vote, whether Saudi Arabia will ask for help and what any Egyptian role would involve.
Where outlets agree AFP and Reuters report that Sisi asked parliament to authorize Egypt to help defend Saudi Arabia if the kingdom asks, and that parliament called an emergency session for Sunday.
Where they differ The outlets cited here report the same key facts so far.