Egypt's parliament to hold emergency session on Sisi's request to defend Saudi Arabia

CAIRO — Egypt's parliament will hold an emergency session on Sunday after President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi asked lawmakers to authorise help for Saudi Arabia if the kingdom requests it, Al-Ahram newspaper reported.

Sisi made the request on Saturday in a speech at a graduation ceremony at the Egyptian Military Academy, according to Middle East Eye. He said Egypt would take any measures necessary to defend Saudi Arabia if asked.

"I know this requires the approval of the Egyptian parliament, and I ask that an emergency session be held so that it can give us that authorisation if we are asked," Sisi said, as quoted by Middle East Eye.

The session

Al-Ahram reported that the House of Representatives, headed by Hisham Badawy, will meet "in response to President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi's call." Middle East Eye said parliament announced the plenary session shortly after the speech. It did not disclose the agenda.

Al Jazeera English reported that Sisi wants approval for military assistance should Riyadh ask for it. It said he insisted that Egypt does not want war. Al Jazeera described the context as Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia. The material available does not give details of those attacks.

Role of the Saudi leadership

Sisi said Egypt would act in line with guidance from Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, according to Middle East Eye. The outlet's report does not say that Saudi Arabia has made a request for Egyptian military help.

What is not confirmed

The sources do not say what form any Egyptian assistance would take. They do not say whether lawmakers will vote on Sunday, or what wording a resolution would use. No Saudi government response to Sisi's remarks appears in the material reviewed. The Houthis' reaction is also not reported there.

Background

Middle East Eye reported that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman visited Sisi on 15 September, after fighting in Yemen reignited. The two were said to have discussed issues including security and navigation in the Red Sea.

Sisi said the authorisation he is seeking requires parliamentary approval. His remarks suggest any deployment or military support beyond Egypt's borders would need that consent before it could proceed if Saudi Arabia made a request.

The Houthis, who are based in Yemen, are the party Al Jazeera identified in connection with the attacks on Saudi Arabia. Neither source gives further detail on recent incidents, casualties or damage.

Further information on the outcome of the emergency session had not been published in the sources at the time of writing.