Egypt has extended by another three months a nationwide state of emergency, citing security reasons. The latest extension, which will commence on January 13 under a decree issued by President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi yesterday, comes after two deadly attacks on Friday against Coptic Christians in Helwan district, south of the capital, Cairo. <br/><br/>State news agency MENA said the step was taken to allow security forces to take necessary measures to confront the dangers and funding of terrorism and safeguard security in all parts of the country. <br/><br/>The measure grants the president, and those acting on his behalf, the power to refer civilians to State Security Emergency Courts for the duration of the three-month period. There is no appeal process for State Security Emergency Court verdicts.<br/><br/>Egyptian authorities first imposed a nationwide state of emergency in April 2017, after two church bombings killed at least 45 people. Similar extensions were announced in July and October last year.<br/><br/>However, human rights groups have repeatedly criticised Egypt's human rights situation, saying conditions in the country have continued to deteriorate since Sisi took power in 2013. <br/>

Egypt has extended for a third time a nationwide state of emergency for three months, starting tomorrow. <br/><br/>According to a presidential decree released today, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi renewed it for a third term starting tomorrow. <br/><br/>The emergency was first declared in April by President Sisi for three months after the attacks on two Churches in Tanta and Alexandria killed 46 people. The attacks were claimed by the Islamic State.<br/><br/>It was extended in July for a further three months. <br/><br/>According to the decision, the armed forces and police authorities are assigned to take necessary measures to combat terror risks, maintain security across the country, and protect public and private properties, the reports said.<br/><br/>The state of emergency allows authorities to make arrests without warrants and search people's homes.