Sisi Urges Government to Complete Reforms, Alleviate Citizens’ Burdens

The Egyptian President calls on the government to complete the “reform” path (Egyptian Presidency)
The Egyptian President calls on the government to complete the “reform” path (Egyptian Presidency)
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Sisi Urges Government to Complete Reforms, Alleviate Citizens’ Burdens

The Egyptian President calls on the government to complete the “reform” path (Egyptian Presidency)
The Egyptian President calls on the government to complete the “reform” path (Egyptian Presidency)

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi called on the new government to complete the path of economic reform at all levels and focus on alleviating the burden on citizens.
On Wednesday, the new Egyptian government, headed by Dr. Mostafa Madbouly was sworn in before the president. Comprising 30 ministers, the new cabinet saw the merging of some ministries and the introduction of new ones, especially the economic portfolios.
During the meeting, Sisi stressed “the importance of achieving a tangible breakthrough in the service fields, especially health and education”.
He “emphasized the need to build and develop the Egyptian industry, as a strategic goal in the process of building the state,” according to an official statement by the Egyptian presidential spokesman.
Sisi has also asked the new government to “seek to attract internal and external investments and encourage the growth of the private sector in order to improve the state’s comprehensive financial and economic performance and achieve the aspirations of the Egyptian people for development and progress.”
The new government witnessed the merging of the Ministries of Transport and Industry into one portfolio headed by Kamel al-Wazir, who also assumed the position of Deputy Prime Minister for Industry Affairs.
Egyptian presidential spokesman Ahmed Fahmy said that Sisi underlined the importance of comprehensive development of policies and government performance that would be key to face the upcoming challenges.
The Egyptian president also asked his government to “maintain and strengthen efforts to preserve Egyptian national security, in light of unprecedented regional and global challenges.”



Israeli Ambassador to US Says Hezbollah Cease-fire Deal Could Come 'Within Days'

Part of the destruction caused by the Israeli airstrikes on the southern suburbs of Beirut yesterday (Reuters)
Part of the destruction caused by the Israeli airstrikes on the southern suburbs of Beirut yesterday (Reuters)
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Israeli Ambassador to US Says Hezbollah Cease-fire Deal Could Come 'Within Days'

Part of the destruction caused by the Israeli airstrikes on the southern suburbs of Beirut yesterday (Reuters)
Part of the destruction caused by the Israeli airstrikes on the southern suburbs of Beirut yesterday (Reuters)

The Israeli ambassador to Washington says that a cease-fire deal to end fighting between Israel and the Lebanon-based Hezbollah could be reached "within days."
Ambassador Mike Herzog told Israeli Army Radio on Monday that there remained "points to finalize" and that any deal required agreement from the government. But he said "we are close to a deal" and that "it can happen within days."
Among the issues that remain is an Israeli demand to reserve the right to act should Hezbollah violate its obligations under the emerging deal. The deal seeks to push Hezbollah and Israeli troops out of southern Lebanon.
Israel accuses Hezbollah of not adhering to a UN resolution that ended the 2006 war between the sides that made similar provisions, and Israel has concerns that Hezbollah could stage a Hamas-style cross-border attack from southern Lebanon if it maintains a heavy presence there. Lebanon says Israel also violated the 2006 resolution. Lebanon complains about military jets and naval ships entering Lebanese territory even when there is no active conflict.
It is not clear whether Lebanon would agree to the demand.
The optimism surrounding a deal comes after a top US envoy held talks between the sides last week in a bid to clinch a deal.
Hezbollah began attacking Israel on Oct. 8, 2023, a day after Hamas´ raid on southern Israel, setting off more than a year of fighting. That escalated into all-out war in September with massive Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon and later an Israeli ground incursion into the country´s south.
Hezbollah has fired thousands of rockets into Israeli cities and towns, including some 250 on Sunday.