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Egypt's cabinet approves 3-month state of emergency nationwide

Xinhua, April 10, 2017 Adjust font size:

Egypt's cabinet has approved on Monday a countrywide state of emergency for three months, one day after two church bombings killed at least 44 people.

The state of emergency will take effect from 1 p.m. local time (1100 GMT), the cabinet said in a statement.

The decision must be approved by parliament in maximum seven days to remain in place.

President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi declared the measure in a televised address on Sunday following the attacks.

"This is only to protect our country and prevent any targeting of its capabilities," Sisi said.

"What is happening now is another attempt to destroy our country," he added.

Earlier on Sunday, The president also ordered the deployment of army forces to secure state institutions all over the country.

The presidency said that troops from the armed forces will assist police units in the mission of maintaining the safety of buildings and government institutions.

On Sunday, a blast and a suicide bombing at two churches in Gharbiya and Alexandria province in northern Egypt killed at least 44 and wounded over 120. Endit