CAIRO: The Egyptian government said it had extended by three months the deployment of “some elements of the armed forces” outside Egypt’s borders to defend national and Arab security in the Gulf, Red Sea and the Strait of Mandab.

Egypt is part of a Saudi-led coalition that has been targeting Houthi rebels in Yemen.

Egypt authorized a 40-day mandate on March 26, which the defense ministry had to be renewed before its expiration, the statement from the cabinet said.