| U.S. disappointed by Egypt's extension of emergency law |
| Last Updated(Beijing Time):2008-05-28 14:17 |
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The United States said Tuesday that it is disappointed by Egypt's decision to extend the emergency law since 1981 and called for passing the new counter-terrorism law.
"It's disappointing that they did decide to extend the state of emergency. This was a campaign promise by President (Hosni) Mubarak, that he was going to repeal the state of emergency," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said.
McCormack said Egypt has been working on a new counter-terrorism law that is stuck in the parliament.
"We would urge the Egyptian government to pass that law so there is no need for a state of emergency, and urge them to pass a law that, while protecting the Egyptian people, which is an important function of any government, it also allows the ability of people to freely express themselves in public and in private, even if those views are contrary or inconsistent with the policies of the government," he said.
According to media reports, Egyptian government asked the parliament on Monday to extend the emergency law for another two years. The emergency law has been in effect since the assassination of President Anwar Sadat in 1981. |
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