Critics are blasting Egypt's latest extension of a state of emergency in the north Sinai Peninsula, saying it violates the constitution and parliament's powers. The original three-month order was issued in October 2014 and has been extended many times, amid much indignation and repudiation by Sinai residents, whose businesses are affected by the restrictions on movement and the curfew.

The Egyptian government said mounting violence perpetrated by terrorist groups against military and police targets forced President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to extend the state of emergency yet again to preserve security, tighten the grip on these groups and counter their continuing attacks. The government said that the army and police, in turn, are taking measures to face terrorists, prosecute their money suppliers and safeguard innocent lives as well as public and private property.

Article 154 of the Egyptian Constitution says a majority of parliament must approve a declaration of a state of emergency before it is implemented for three months. To extend that order for another three months requires approval by two-thirds of the legislature. Neither requirement was a problem with the previous declarations because, until this year, the country had been without a parliament since 2012.

Parliament member Alaa Abdel-Moneim aimed harsh criticism at the Cabinet during parliament's May 8 general session. Abdel-Moneim urged the government to respect the constitution, which says the president must submit such a decree to parliament within seven days. He said, "Prime Minister Sharif Ismail should have delivered his statement before the parliament prior to the current general session. What is happening is a blatant violation of the constitution."