Egyptian official: New Anti-terrorism Law Postponed until Further Notice and Emergency Law Sufficient

 A government official has revealed that the government intends to postpone the adoption of the draft anti-terrorism law for a non-specific period, although the law was originally listed in President Mubarak’s electoral program to take his approval by the end of 2011.
 
“There are many obstacles preventing the formulation of several controversial articles of the law”, the official, who requested anonymity, said, adding that states applied the law to which we are guided in the formulation of the Egyptian law showed many deficiencies, as well as strong opposition by political parties even before its release.
 
"The Emergency Law allows great flexibility and assist security authorities in dealing with terrorist incidents, in terms of procedures of custody, arrest and detention of suspects and other actions,” he said.
 
The source denied that the bombing of the Two Saints Church in Alexandria forced the government to expedite the anti-terrorism law, noting that «the Emergency Law is sufficient to deal with these events”.
 
Dr. Mufid Shehab, Minister of State for Legal Affairs and Parliamentary Councils, declined to comment on the postponement of the anti-terrorism law, saying, “This is just a rumor. It is more important to talk about how to confront terrorism and protect Egypt from the threat of terrorism and to defend national security and stability", he said.