Egypt Lifts State Of Emergency In Force Since 2017

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi announced the lifting of the state of emergency in place since deadly jihadist attacks on Coptic Christian churches more than four years ago.<br />The North African country has been under a state of emergency since April 2017 bombings of two Coptic churches by an Islamic State group affiliate that killed more than 40 people.<br />Sisi says Egypt has become, thanks to its great people and its loyal men, an oasis of security and stability in the region.<br />Under a state of emergency, police powers such as arresting and holding citizens are extended and constitutional rights such as freedom of speech and assembly are curtailed.