Minister for the Middle East Tobias Ellwood has responded to the news that parliamentary elections have been delayed in Egypt. Speaking today Mr Ellwood said:

I am concerned that Egypt has been without a full parliament for two and a half years. An effective and representative parliament is integral to the democratic transition on which Egypt’s stability and success depend.

I encourage all relevant institutions in Egypt to take the necessary steps to hold free and constitutional parliamentary elections as soon as possible and to complete the road map announced in July 2013. I welcome President al-Sisi’s commitment to amend the electoral laws within a month.

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