Egyptian parliament debates two laws and parliamentary immunity

The People's Assembly approved Wednesday night a bill on the establishment of exclusive economic zones and another protecting intellectual property.

Leftist Al-Tagmmou Party MPs rejected the economic zones law while three other lawmakers abstained from voting. The parliament also endorsed a law on protecting intellectual copyrights.

The Assembly Speaker Ahmed Fathi Sorour lauded the law describing it as seeking to attract foreign investments.

On the other hand, the House turned down a proposal to impose a 10-percent tax on tobacco products to fund health insurance services.

Hamdy El-Sayed, the chief of the medical syndicate who tabled the suggestion, said he sought to combat smoking and maintain the health of Egyptians.

Meantime, Counsellor Mohamed Moussa, Chairman of the Legislative Committee at People's Assembly said lifting the parliamentary immunity off a number of People's Assembly members will be concluded by mid June.

Moussa told Al-Gomhuria that requests to lift immunity off the members of parliament from the prosecution are immediately decided whereas requests from individuals should be fully considered.