Press TV- Egypt has announced a three-month state of emergency following twin deadly Daesh bombings in the country.
“Several steps are to be taken, the first of which will be the declaration of a state of emergency after the necessary legal and constitutional procedures are complete, for three months in Egypt. We are announcing this state of emergency only to protect our country and secure it, and to prevent any interference with it," said Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi during a live televised speech on Sunday.
He added that security forces have boosted their efforts to find those behind the attacks and bring them to justice.
"Today, a decision was taken to form a higher committee for combating terrorism and extremism in Egypt. This will be formed by a law whose goal will be to grant this committee power to allow for the execution of what is required to control the whole situation," he added.
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Earlier in the day, at least 27 people were killed and 78 others injured after a bomb went off inside St. George's Church in the Nile Delta city of Tanta.
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The aftermath of an explosion that took place at a Coptic church on Sunday in Tanta, Egypt, April 9, 2017.[/caption]A few hours later, a terrorist rushed toward St. Mark's Cathedral in the coastal city of Alexandria, the historic seat of Christendom in Egypt, killing at least 17 people and wounding 41 others, the Interior Ministry said. The Daesh terrorist group has claimed responsibility for both attacks and has warned that more are still to come.
Riyadh to stand with Egypt
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s King Salman contacted Sisi and offered his condolences over the deadly attacks.
“We express our deep condemnation of these two criminal acts… We stand with Egypt against anyone who tries to undermine its security," he said.
“And to the families of the brotherly Arab Republic of Egypt and to the families of the victims on behalf of the people and the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and on our behalf, our sincere condolences and sincere condolences. We wish their families patience and solace and wish the injured a speedy recovery,” he added.
Egypt has been facing violence due to terrorist attacks across the country in the past years with Takfiri militants taking advantage of the turmoil caused in the country after its first democratically-elected president, Mohamed Morsi, was ousted by the military in July 2013.