An Egyptian soldier stands guard next to an armored personnel carrier in Cairo, Egypt, Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2013. The Egyptian Amy has maintained a presence on the streets since the July ouster of President Mohammed Morsi. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)
CAIRO (AP) — Egypt’s interim president has extended a nationwide state of emergency by two months, citing security conditions.
The presidential decree Thursday comes days before the expiration of the state of emergency imposed in August after authorities cleared two protest encampments held by supporters of ousted President Mohammed Morsi, unleashing violence that claimed the lives of nearly 1,000 in subsequent days.
Ever since, a nighttime curfew has also been in effect in a number of governorates. The government will decide separately on whether to continue the curfew.
The decree said the state of emergency, which gives greater powers of arrest to security forces, was extended because of security conditions. Near daily scattered protests by Morsi supporters continue, and the government says it faces an organized violent campaign to destabilize the country.
