CAIRO, Jan 22 (Aswat Masriya) – Egypt's National Defence Council agreed to extend its military's participation in the Saudi-led Arab coalition in Yemen, the presidency said in a statement on Sunday.

Egypt is part of the Saudi-led coalition that began in March 2015 against the Iran-backed Houthi rebels, who have seized large parts of Yemen. 

"The National Defence Council agreed during the meeting to extend the participation of the required elements from the Egyptian armed forces in a combat operation outside the nation's border to defend Egyptian and Arab national security in the Gulf, Red Sea, and Bab al-Mandab areas," the statement read.

The constitution requires the approvals of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF), the cabinet and the National Defence Council for sending troops to missions outside the Egyptian territory.

In its meeting headed by President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, the Council reviewed local security developments and followed up on counter terrorism efforts in the Sinai Peninsula. It also discussed regional and international developments.

The parliament’s speaker, the prime minister, the defence minister, and the interior and foreign ministers as well as head of general intelligence and several military officials attended the meeting.