Confusion over the military service status of Egyptian expatriates is nearing an end, reports Amirah Ibrahim Long-standing confusion over the military service status of Egyptians living abroad may finally be cleared up. For years Egyptian expatriates, emigrant workers and students, have existed in limbo as far as military conscription is concerned. Matters usually come to a head only when their current papers expire and they face the ordeal of applying for new ones. Without evidence of the completion of military service documentation can be held up indefinitely. According to Major General Mohsen El-Fangary, head of the Armed Forces' Managing and Organisation Authority, all that is about to change. The Armed Forces have now formed four committees which over the next few months will travel to countries hosting the largest populations of Egyptian expatriates in order to sort out their status once and for all. "They will visit Libya, some Arab Gulf countries, France, Italy, the US and Canada," says El-Fangary. "They have been tasked with investigating the status of Egyptian men aged 30 or over who need to renew their documents in order to complete immigration procedures. The delegations will also examine the status of anyone who has applied for a delay or exemption from conscription and issue the papers necessary for them to clarify their situation." In addition, anyone born in 1989 or after will be issued with an underage certificate allowing them to renew their passports. Two committees will visit Arab countries between 17 and 31 May, the first spending two weeks in Libya and the second visiting Jordan (17-22 May), Riyadh (23-27 May) and Kuwait (28-31 May). Between 8 and 22 June delegations will also head to Europe and Northern America. They will be in France between 8 and 16 June, Italy between 17 and 22 June, in Washington between 8 and 17 June and then Ottawa between 18 and 22 June. "The issue affects all Egyptian males between the ages of 18 and 30, whether they are abroad to study or work. Anyone who needs to settle their military service status is requested to apply to the military attaché at the relevant Egyptian embassy before the committees arrive in their countries of residence. They, or their families, should apply with both an ID and birth certificate," says El-Fangary. Military service is obligatory for men between the ages of 18 and 30. Students enrolled at high school or university are normally granted a delay until they complete their education after which they are obliged to apply to do military service, the duration of which is determined according to the educational level of the conscript. University graduates serve one year, high school graduates two while those who have not completed secondary education must serve three years. "As a government institution the Armed Forces are keen to help members of Egyptian communities abroad resolve any confusion that might result in their feeling hesitation about returning home." Those over 30, El-Fangary says, who have not completed military service but who need to renew their passports "can now get it done after paying a fine in dollars". "On returning home they should head to the Military Service Department as any Egyptian citizen inside the country and apply to settle their status. They will then have to pay the relevant fine in local currency, after which their dollars will be returned." Egyptians abroad who have been granted full or temporary exemptions, or those with dual nationality, are requested to send the relevant papers to the nearest Egyptian consulate in their host country which will then forward them to the military department responsible for determining their final status.
