After 31 years Egypt has lifted its state of emergency, that gave security forces sweeping powers to detain suspects and try them in special courts.
It has been in place without interruption since the assassination of President Anwar Sadat in 1981.
Lifting the law was a key demand of activists in last year’s uprising against President Hosni Mubarak.
Egypt’s military rulers, who took charge after the ousting of Mubarak, indicated they would not renew the law.
Some Egyptians had feared the country – preparing for a presidential election run-off- would be left in a power vacuum without the law, which expired at midnight on Thursday.
The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (Scaf) issued a statement to reassure the country that it will “continue to carry its national responsibility in protecting the country until the transfer of power is over”.
“This is huge,” said Hossam Bahgat, a human rights activist who had long campaigned to lift the law.
“What is really crucial is the message. The security forces operated under a culture that told them they were constantly above the law. Now they need to abide by the existing legislation and they won’t enjoy any extra-legal powers.”
US State Department spokesman Mark Toner described the lifting of the emergency law as “a step in the direction” towards democratic transition.
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