Egyptian Parliament Delays Vote on Military Support for Saudi Arabia

Egypt’s parliament postponed until October 26 a vote authorising the armed forces to support Saudi Arabia, which has faced attacks by Yemen’s Houthis. The Egyptian Social Democratic Party instructed its lawmakers to abstain, saying parliament lacked details on the mission’s objectives, duration, cost and risks to Egyptian troops. President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi said Egypt would take any measure needed to protect its Gulf allies, stressing that the action would be defensive. After approval by the National Defence Council, Egypt’s constitution requires a two-thirds parliamentary majority to send troops abroad on a combat mission.