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Sisi gives Egypt's military new powers after Sinai attack Sisi gives Egypt military new powers after Sinai attack
(about 1 hour later)
Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi has authorised the military to protect state facilities after jihadists killed more than 30 soldiers last week.Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi has authorised the military to protect state facilities after jihadists killed more than 30 soldiers last week.
A spokesman said the new law aimed to protect facilities such as power plants, gas pipelines, and oil fields. A spokesman said the new law gives the army the right to secure sites like power plants, main roads and bridges.
Critics say it is a sign of the army's expanding role amid fears of a return of military trials for civilians. But critics say it allows the army to return to the streets and bring back military trials for civilians.
President Sisi declared a three-month state of emergency after the bomb attack in Sinai on Friday.President Sisi declared a three-month state of emergency after the bomb attack in Sinai on Friday.
Supporters say the new decree will allow the military to work in co-operation with the police to protect key buildings and infrastructure for the next two years. The new decree allows state infrastructure to be defined as "military facilities" for two years, permitting the army to work with police to secure such sites.
The decree also allows the military to try suspects involved in acts against state facilities. It also gives the military the right to try people it suspects of launching attacks on those sites.
But activists say the new law is too broadly defined. Activists say the law is too broadly defined and could also cover universities, where police have been unable to stop student protests.
They say it includes bridges and roads and could also cover universities, leading to the return of soldiers on the streets and the possibility of civilians being tried in military courts. Putting an end to military trials was one of the main aims of the 2011 uprising that ousted the former president, Hosni Mubarak.
Putting an end to military trials was one of the main aims of the 2011 uprising that ousted the former president, Hosni Mubarak, says the BBC's Orla Guerin in Cairo.
Presidential spokesman Alaa Youssef insisted the decree was aimed at tackling terrorism, not protesters, and told the BBC it was a limited, proportional response to recent attacks by militants.Presidential spokesman Alaa Youssef insisted the decree was aimed at tackling terrorism, not protesters, and told the BBC it was a limited, proportional response to recent attacks by militants.
The law was introduced after President Sisi promised a tough response to what he called an "existential threat" to Egypt posed by Islamist militants.
In light of the perceived threat, the editors of 17 newspapers in Egypt have decided to refrain from publishing criticism of the army or the state, the BBC's Orla Guerin in Cairo reports.
Human rights groups say it is another sign that the room for dissent in Egypt is shrinking even further, our correspondent adds.
Activists arrestedActivists arrested
Meanwhile, an Egyptian judge ordered 21 activists to be arrested on Monday at the start of their retrial for breaking protest laws during the military's overthrow of President Mohamed Morsi in 2013.Meanwhile, an Egyptian judge ordered 21 activists to be arrested on Monday at the start of their retrial for breaking protest laws during the military's overthrow of President Mohamed Morsi in 2013.
The activists, who had been released on bail last month, chanted "down with military rule" after the judge read out his decision in court.The activists, who had been released on bail last month, chanted "down with military rule" after the judge read out his decision in court.
The court also issued arrest warrants for four of the defendants who did not show up.The court also issued arrest warrants for four of the defendants who did not show up.
The group, which includes leading campaigner Alaa Abdel Fattah, were sentenced to 15 years in prison in absentia last June for violating a 2013 law curbing the right to public protests.The group, which includes leading campaigner Alaa Abdel Fattah, were sentenced to 15 years in prison in absentia last June for violating a 2013 law curbing the right to public protests.
They were later arrested and tried again in person on the same charges but that trial collapsed last month when the presiding judge stepped down.They were later arrested and tried again in person on the same charges but that trial collapsed last month when the presiding judge stepped down.
On Sunday, Mr Abdel Fattah's younger sister Sanaa, a 20-year-old student, was jailed for three years along with 23 other young activists for breaking protest laws.On Sunday, Mr Abdel Fattah's younger sister Sanaa, a 20-year-old student, was jailed for three years along with 23 other young activists for breaking protest laws.
Outside the courtroom on Monday, Mr Abdel Fattah said the rulings against activists like his sister were a deliberate attempt by the government to imprison and silence their critics.Outside the courtroom on Monday, Mr Abdel Fattah said the rulings against activists like his sister were a deliberate attempt by the government to imprison and silence their critics.
The judge set the next hearing for Mr Abdel Fattah and the 20 other activists for 11 November.The judge set the next hearing for Mr Abdel Fattah and the 20 other activists for 11 November.