CAIRO, May 11 (UPI) -- Egyptian lawmakers said the request Tuesday for an extension of an emergency law in place since 1981 eases restrictions on censorship and surveillance.
Egyptian Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif formally asked lawmakers to pass the two-year extension of the state of emergency declared following the 1981 assassination of Egyptian President Anwar Sadat.
He said the extension reflected the government's commitment to a balanced counter-terrorism legislation, Egypt's Al-Masry Al-Youm newspaper reports.
The formal extension removes measures regarding telephone surveillance, media censorship and the use of public space. It extends, however, the power to detain suspected terrorists and other security protections.
"This step shows the world that we are a state that respects its commitments in the area of human rights and respects the rights and freedoms of its citizens," the prime minister said.
Egyptian opposition groups were demonstrating Tuesday in protest of the measure. The Muslim Brotherhood had organized a series of demonstrations in recent weeks to voice their frustration with the legislation.
The details of the formal extension now enters a 15-day review process by Egyptian lawmakers.
