Egypt ends prolonged state of emergency law

Egypt's ruling military announced on May 31 that the country's decades-long state of emergency had ended after its last extension expired.

The statement said the military will continue its national and historical responsibilities, taking into account the expiration of the state of emergency law, in accordance with the Constitution and the law.

Egyptians protest against the election results. (Photo: AFP/VNA)

The Egyptian military also announced that it will continue its mission until it transfers power to the elected president at the end of June as promised.

Egypt has been under a state of emergency since the assassination of President Anwar Sadat in 1981. The emergency law allows authorities to detain without charge and try them in emergency security courts. In May 2010, the Egyptian parliament extended the emergency law for two years, but only for terrorism and drug crimes.

Under constitutional amendments approved in a referendum in March 2011, the Egyptian military is responsible for defending the country, and the parliament is the only body with the power to declare a state of emergency.

A leader of the Islamist Freedom and Justice Party, which holds a majority of seats in Egypt's parliament, said the country's military had not asked parliament to extend the law./.

According to (TTXVN)- DT