Presidential hopeful Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi defended a controversial protest law passed by the cabinet last november saying that "irresponsible" demonstrations threaten the state.

He waived a question by Lamis El-Hadidi, who was co-interviewing him with Ibrahim Issa, on whether he would heed calls by some for pardoning 25 January activists jailed for breaking the law saying : We will make that call when we cross that bridge."

The Protest Law punishes violators with up to three years in jail and hefty fines for protesting without police permits.

El-Sisi said "he would take whatever decision needed to protect the country from terrorism," in an answer to questions from the CBC and ONTV anchors on whether he would pass an anti-terrorism law if elected president.

https://english.ahram.org.eg/News/100581.aspx