Egypt delays vote on military support for Saudi Arabia until October 26

Egypt's parliament delayed until October ​26 a vote on authorising ‌the ​armed forces to support Saudi Arabia if requested, extending deliberations over a potentially deeper Egyptian role in the conflict with Yemen's Houthis.

Members of ‌the House of Representatives said it adjourned a second closed-door session on Monday, held to discuss President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's request for authority to take measures to support the kingdom following recent attacks. Egypt's ‌constitution requires a two-thirds parliamentary majority to approve sending its armed forces on a combat ‌mission beyond the country's borders, after consultation with the National Defence Council.

Sisi said on Saturday that Egypt would take "any measure" necessary to protect Gulf allies, marking a sharper public commitment after Houthi attacks on Saudi oil and other infrastructure. The Egyptian ⁠Social ​Democratic Party said on ⁠Sunday it had instructed its lawmakers to abstain, saying parliament had not received sufficient information about the proposed mission's objectives, ⁠scope, duration, cost or risks to Egyptian troops.

While affirming support for Saudi security, the party said Egypt should ​avoid an open-ended military commitment and preserve room for diplomacy, citing the country's economic pressures ⁠and the risks to Red Sea shipping and Suez Canal revenue. Al-Azhar's grand imam also called on Sunday for an ⁠urgent mediation ​effort by Arab and Muslim leaders to contain the conflict and avert further bloodshed.

The issue underscores Cairo's close security and financial ties with Riyadh. Saudi Arabia has a $5.3 billion ⁠deposit at Egypt's central bank due this month, plus $267.39 million in interest, central bank data showed. Egypt's EGX30 ⁠index, which fell ⁠early in the session amid concern over possible military involvement, recovered to close 0.4% higher.

Nematallah Choucri, head of research at HC Securities, said geopolitical developments ‌had become the ‌main factor behind recent market losses. (Editing by Toby ​Chopra and Bill Berkrot)