State of emergency lifted in Egypt

After more than three decades, the state of emergency declared in Egypt following the 1981 assassination of President Anwar Sadat, has been lifted. Activists had been pushing for it since the uprising against then President Hosni Mubarak who was ousted in February 2011. The former air force commander stepped down after an 18-day revolt led by a youth democracy movement. He had repeatedly broken promises to lift the emergency law. Military rulers who took over after Mubarak stepped down indicated they would not renew the law. In a statement, the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces said it will “continue to carry its national responsibility in protecting the country until the transfer of power is over.” Egypt is preparing for a run-off vote in presidential elections this coming June 16-17.

Read the full story on BBC News.

Read about Mubarak’s 2011 ouster in The New York Times.