Egypt allows army to assist police to secure vital state facilities

Egyptian President Abdelfatah Al-Sisi issued a new law Monday allowing military forces to help police guard vital state facilities for two years.
In a press statement, Presidential Spokesman Alaa Yousef said that the law considers any state institution a military installation.
Those who are accused of attacking state facilities would be tried by military courts, he pointed out.
Yousef stressed that the law is meant to protect public institutions and vital state facilities such as power stations, grids and pylons; gas pipelines; oilfields; railway network; roads and bridges networks; and etc.
The law was issued after consultation with the National Defense Council, and as per approval from the cabinet and State Council, he said.
President Al-Sisi holds legislative powers due to the absence of a parliament.