Egypt Launches 2nd Round of National Dialogue Focusing on Economic Sessions

Part of the session on high prices (Egyptian National Dialogue)
Part of the session on high prices (Egyptian National Dialogue)
TT

Egypt Launches 2nd Round of National Dialogue Focusing on Economic Sessions

Part of the session on high prices (Egyptian National Dialogue)
Part of the session on high prices (Egyptian National Dialogue)

The second round of the Egyptian National Dialogue sessions focused on the economic crisis in the country amid aspirations to provide urgent solutions to “high prices, inflation, and public debt.”

The closed economic axis sessions began on Monday with the participation of government officials.

The first day witnessed three sessions to discuss high prices, high inflation rates, and loss of control over the markets. The second session addressed the obstacles facing production and export, while the third discussed the monetary policies and the dollar and foreign exchange shortage.

According to a statement by the Board of Trustees of the National Dialogue, the discussions will continue until next Thursday under various titles that address multiple aspects of the economic crisis, including public debt, the budget deficit, public investment priorities, state ownership policy, and social justice.

The Board of Trustees said in a press statement on Monday that the session reviewed several proposals within the executive and legislative framework to come up with recommendations to alleviate the burden on citizens.

According to a board member, Gouda Abdulkhaliq, the sessions aim to develop solutions to the urgent aspects of the economic crisis affecting the masses, especially high prices.

Abdulkhaliq told Asharq Al-Awsat that the first sessions reached urgent recommendations. He explained that the government must announce some goods as strategic and ensure they are available at reasonable prices for a specific period in the markets.

They also recommended setting a binding price for all merchants who deal with the strategic goods, equivalent to the cost of production with a reasonable profit margin.

Among the recommendations also, according to Abdulkhaliq, the government should implement a complete exemption for essential food commodities from all types of fees and taxes until the crisis has subsided.

He said that the government must also commit to setting a fair price for its services to citizens, such as electricity and water.

Among the recommendations are developing the capabilities of the consumer and competition protection agencies and preventing monopoly by activating market oversight.

Board member Talaat Abdel Qawi believes it is essential to choose titles for the sessions, such as prices and loss of control over the markets because they reflect the desire to address people’s concerns.

Abdel Qawi told Asharq Al-Awsat that the participation of ministers and government officials in the sessions will increase the chances of consensus on specific and urgent proposals to overcome the crisis.

On Sunday, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly received members of the Board of Trustees of the National Dialogue, stressing the importance of the general and specialized sessions held within the framework of the National Dialogue in mapping the priorities of national action during the next stage.

Madbouly announced that a working group was formed from the Technical Office of the Prime Minister and the Information and Decision Support Center of the government’s presidency to follow up with relevant ministries on implementing these outputs.

About two years ago, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi called for a “National Dialogue” that includes all political forces, except the banned Muslim Brotherhood, to discuss the state’s priorities.

The recommendations of the first round of the National Dialogue, held in May last year, were submitted to the President.



US Defers Removal of Some Lebanese, Citing Israel-Hezbollah Tensions

Smoke billows from a site targeted by Lebanon's Hezbollah, along the northern Israeli border with Lebanon on July 25, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (AFP)
Smoke billows from a site targeted by Lebanon's Hezbollah, along the northern Israeli border with Lebanon on July 25, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (AFP)
TT

US Defers Removal of Some Lebanese, Citing Israel-Hezbollah Tensions

Smoke billows from a site targeted by Lebanon's Hezbollah, along the northern Israeli border with Lebanon on July 25, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (AFP)
Smoke billows from a site targeted by Lebanon's Hezbollah, along the northern Israeli border with Lebanon on July 25, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (AFP)

The United States is deferring the removal of certain Lebanese citizens from the country, President Joe Biden said on Friday, citing humanitarian conditions in southern Lebanon amid tensions between Israel and Hezbollah.

The deferred designation, which lasts 18 months, allows Lebanese citizens to remain in the country with the right to work, according to a memorandum Biden sent to the Department of Homeland Security.

"Humanitarian conditions in southern Lebanon have significantly deteriorated due to tensions between Hezbollah and Israel," Biden said in the memo.

"While I remain focused on de-escalating the situation and improving humanitarian conditions, many civilians remain in danger; therefore, I am directing the deferral of removal of certain Lebanese nationals who are present in the United States."

Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah have been trading fire since Hezbollah announced a "support front" with Palestinians shortly after its ally Hamas attacked southern Israeli border communities on Oct. 7, triggering Israel's military assault in Gaza.

The fighting in Lebanon has killed more than 100 civilians and more than 300 Hezbollah fighters, according to a Reuters tally, and led to levels of destruction in Lebanese border towns and villages not seen since the 2006 Israel-Lebanon war.

On the Israeli side, 10 Israeli civilians, a foreign agricultural worker and 20 Israeli soldiers have been killed. Tens of thousands have been evacuated from both sides of the border.