Adviser at the National Center for Middle East Studies, Mohamed Mogahed al-Zayat, has ruled out that Egyptian troops were deployed to Yemen.
Zayat does not expect Egyptian or Saudi troops to be deployed to Yemen in light of the US and UN Security Council's pressure to find a political solution, as well as Russian endeavors for the same.
The Cabinet issued a decree extending the period Egyptian Armed Forces in Yemen could stay abroad to three more months, due to the end of the previous term, Zayat said in a phone-in interview on CBC Extra Sunday evening.
The Bab al-Mandab strait must be secured because it is part of both Egypt and Arab national security as it is the lifeblood of the Suez Canal, he said, adding that in light of the Iranian intervention he expects the term to be further extended.
Egyptian maneuvers are being continuously conducted with Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, as Egypt will be involved in regional issues through a joint Arab force, Zayat mentioned.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
