The Egyptian cabinet has ratified a law establishing the Supreme Council for Combating Terrorism and Extremism (SCCTE), modifying Presidential Decree 355/2017 which created the National Council for Combating Terrorism and Extremism, al-Ahram reported Thursday (January 25th).
The cabinet said the SCCTE will act to motivate state institutions and society to eradicate terrorism and trace its funding.
"The name change, requested by council members, is more appropriate to the council’s role and responsibilities," said Brig. Gen. Khaled Okasha, security affairs expert and council member.
He said President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi had stressed the council’s role extends beyond consultation "since it is comprised of decision-makers such as the prime minister, parliamentary speaker, and ministers of interior, defence and Waqf".
The presidential decree also named the grand imam of al-Azhar, the head of the Coptic Orthodox Church, the ministers of youth, social solidarity, foreign affairs, telecommunications, justice, education and higher education, the head of General Intelligence, director of the Administrative Control Authority and influential public figures as council members.
