Egypt's Sisi: Last 10 Years Were Dedicated to Bridge Gaps in State’s Sectors

Sisi on Tuesday at the Suez Canal University (Egyptian Presidency)
Sisi on Tuesday at the Suez Canal University (Egyptian Presidency)
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Egypt's Sisi: Last 10 Years Were Dedicated to Bridge Gaps in State’s Sectors

Sisi on Tuesday at the Suez Canal University (Egyptian Presidency)
Sisi on Tuesday at the Suez Canal University (Egyptian Presidency)

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said on Tuesday that the past 10 years were a transitional stage to bridge the gaps in the different state sectors, especially in the health and educational domains.

Sisi said the state finalized about 50 percent of the medical infrastructure and established about 700 hospitals out of the 1,400 hospitals which the state needs.

The President stressed on the need to “develop a true description of the reality of the Egyptian state in order to come up with solutions that contribute to the progress of the state, rebuilding, hope, and restoring confidence.”

Sisi made his remarks during a meeting with heads of universities comprising the Supreme Universities Council on the sidelines of a celebration marking the excellence of Egyptian universities at Suez Canal University.

He underlined the importance of striking a balance between educational specializations and labor market needs, emphasizing that university pathways should be responsive to labor market requirements in order to provide real employment opportunities.

He also referred to the efforts exerted over the past period to support the higher education infrastructure, noting that investment in the infrastructure of education has doubled in eight years.

The President said there is coordination with the government to address the infrastructure needs at the educational level, stressing that he would keep the Egyptians updated on the size and value of such works, both in the education sector and other sectors.

Sisi then called for a community dialogue on education. “We must be prepared to reassure citizens about education,” he explained.

On the selection and preparation of teachers, the Egyptian President said the Ministry of Education implemented programs for applicants to fill teacher job, he said.

“All teachers have a good opportunity to apply for jobs through a fair system that respects evaluation and testing.”

Tackling the country’s sports clubs, Sisi called for changing their management systems and financial rules. He said Egypt needs to raise the efficiency and qualification of about 4,000 youth centers.



Macron in Lebanon to Push Sovereignty, Reforms amid New Hope

French President Emmanuel Macron looks on during a bilateral meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Chequers, near Aylesbury, Britain, January 9, 2025. REUTERS/Toby Melville/Pool
French President Emmanuel Macron looks on during a bilateral meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Chequers, near Aylesbury, Britain, January 9, 2025. REUTERS/Toby Melville/Pool
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Macron in Lebanon to Push Sovereignty, Reforms amid New Hope

French President Emmanuel Macron looks on during a bilateral meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Chequers, near Aylesbury, Britain, January 9, 2025. REUTERS/Toby Melville/Pool
French President Emmanuel Macron looks on during a bilateral meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Chequers, near Aylesbury, Britain, January 9, 2025. REUTERS/Toby Melville/Pool

French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Lebanon on Friday for the first time since 2020 to help speed up the formation of a government that can quickly implement reforms and open the door to reconstruction.

Since a truce brokered by France and the United States in November between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah, Paris has played a key role in helping break Lebanon's political deadlock, that has now led to a new president and prime minister.
As a former French protectorate, Beirut has strong historical ties with Paris, but the relationship has been complicated in recent years. Macron expended a great deal of political capital in 2020 in a failed effort to convince Lebanese actors to back political and financial reforms after the Beirut port explosion that killed more than 200 people and destroyed entire neighborhoods, Reuters said.
"In three months, we have helped Lebanon move from escalation to recovery, and to open a new page of hope," France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said in parliament during a debate on French Middle East policy.
"With popular support, a broad internal consensus and international backing, the new Lebanese executive can act decisively to restore state sovereignty and rebuild Lebanon."
A French presidency source briefing reporters ahead of the trip said the objective was to underscore the importance of Lebanon's sovereignty, help it towards structural economic reforms that would restore international confidence and ensure there is a united government able to push change.

Macron also spoke to Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ahead of the visit.