Egypt Delays Parliamentary Vote on Military Support for Saudi Arabia
Egypt's parliament has delayed until October 26 a vote on authorising the armed forces to support Saudi Arabia if requested, pausing a decision that had been expected on Sunday. Al Jazeera
Discussion of the authorisation had been due to continue on Monday, October 19. The proposal would allow Egypt's military to act in support of Saudi Arabia should Cairo receive a request. Reuters
The parliamentary vote follows approval on Sunday, October 18, by Egypt's National Defence Council, a body chaired by President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. Under Egypt's constitution, sending troops on a combat mission abroad after council approval requires a two-thirds majority in parliament.
An opposition group, the Egyptian Social Democratic Party, told its lawmakers to abstain from the vote. The party, which holds nearly a dozen seats, said parliament had not been given enough information about the mission's objectives, duration, cost, or risks to Egyptian troops.
On Saturday, el-Sisi said Egypt would take "any measure" needed to protect its Gulf allies. Saudi authorities say 13 people were killed in the October 10 attack on Riyadh's international airport.
Saudi Arabia is due to deposit $5.3 billion into Egypt's central bank in October 2026, plus $267.39 million in interest. Egypt's EGX30 stock index closed 0.4 percent higher on Monday, October 19.
