Through a declaration, Egypt’s ruling military council Thursday lifted a state of emergency that existed for decades in the country.
Egypt’s emergency laws, widely used under the rule of ousted President Hosni Mubarak to silence political opponents, have expired for the first time in 31 years, the country’s ruling military council announced on Thursday.
The stifling effect of the laws, implemented after the assassination of President Anwar Sadat in 1981, were one of the key drivers of the uprising that forced Mubarak from power.
The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces said in a statement that obliquely mentioned the end of the state of emergency that it would continue to take responsibility for the nation’s security “in deference to the national, political and popular desire”.
The military stated that its responsibility would end when power is transferred to civilian rule, a process set to finish when a new president assumes office following a runoff election in June.
The Emergency  Law was lifted after its last renewal expired and the council pledged to continue securing the state until the end of the transitional period, Xinhua reported.
The announcement caused a wave of anxiety among political circles as the country’s toppled leader Hosni Mubarak’s trial is to be held Saturday during which a final verdict will be delivered. Also, the run-off of presidential elections is set to kick off June 16-17.
The state of emergency had been existing since 1981 in Egypt and was being renewed every three years.