Egypt delays vote on military support for Saudi Arabia until Oct.26

Egypt's parliament delayed until Oct.26 a vote on authorising the ‌armed forces to support Saudi Arabia if requested, extending deliberations over a potentially ​deeper ⁠Egyptian role in the conflict with Yemen's Houthis.

Members of ‌the House of Representatives ‌said it adjourned a second closed-door session on Monday, held to discuss President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi's request for authority to take measures ‌to support the kingdom following recent attacks.

Egypt's constitution requires a two-thirds parliamentary majority ⁠to approve sending its armed forces on a combat mission beyond the country's borders, after consultation with the National Defence Council.

Sisi said on Saturday that Egypt would take "any measure" necessary to protect Gulf allies, marking a sharper public commitment after Houthi attacks on Saudi oil ​and other infrastructure.

The Egyptian Social Democratic Party said on Sunday ‌it had instructed its lawmakers to abstain, saying parliament had not received sufficient information about the proposed mission's objectives, scope, duration, cost or risks ⁠to Egyptian troops.

While affirming support for Saudi security, the party said Egypt should avoid an open-ended military commitment and preserve room for diplomacy, citing the ​country's ‌economic pressures and the risks to Red Sea shipping and Suez ‌Canal revenue.

Al-Azhar's grand imam also called on Sunday for an urgent mediation effort by Arab and Muslim leaders to contain the conflict and avert further ‌bloodshed.

Reuters