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Egypt: Pilot Killed in Sinai Warplane Crash

Military forces are seen in North Sinai, Egypt, (File photo: Reuters)
Military forces are seen in North Sinai, Egypt, (File photo: Reuters)
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Egypt: Pilot Killed in Sinai Warplane Crash

Military forces are seen in North Sinai, Egypt, (File photo: Reuters)
Military forces are seen in North Sinai, Egypt, (File photo: Reuters)

An Egyptian fighter jet crashed during military drills in Sinai province on Wednesday, killing its pilot, announced army spokesman Colonel Tamer al-Rifai.

Rifai said that an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident had been launched.

“During training exercises conducted by the Egyptian Air Force on 14/1/2020, a military aircraft went down, resulting in the death of its pilot,” Rifai said in a statement, adding: “We are now working to uncover what caused the crash.”

He didn’t give further details.

Earlier, Egypt’s Armed Forces launched military exercises “Qader 2020” in strategic positions nationwide to increase the army’s readiness to protect the country amid recent regional developments, including the armed conflict in Libya.

The spokesman said that elements of the Second and Third Field Armies and the Central and Southern Regions have carried out a number of combat activities in cooperation with all the main branches and the general command of the armed forces.

The drills began last Friday, days after Turkey announced the deployment of forces in Libya to support Fayez al-Sarraj’s Government of National Accord (GNA) against Libyan National Army (LNA) commander Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar.

According to the statement, Tuesday’s activities included elements of the Second Field Army that executed a number of raids on terrorist outposts in North Sinai. They also trained in enhancing security measures in tunnels, crossings, and ferries.

Furthermore, drills focused on ensuring security measures for navigation along the Suez Canal and the Mediterranean coast, in cooperation with Air and Naval Forces.

Elements of the Third Field Army also carried out a number of drills in raiding terrorist outposts in Central Sinai, while continuing to secure navigation at the Suez Canal, in cooperation with the Air and Naval Forces.

They also trained on securing vital targets and tourist destinations in Central and Southern Sinai.

The training included elements from the Central Military Region, which carried out drills to assist Field Armies and military areas, while elements of the Southern Military Region raised the levels of readiness by securing the Southern border with Sudan and Libya and carrying out many activities within the Region.

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Franjieh Withdraws from Lebanon’s Presidential Race, Backs Army Commander

People look at a ballot box displayed inside the parliament building, a day ahead of Lebanon's parliament's attempt to elect a new head of state in downtown Beirut, Lebanon, January 8, 2025. (Reuters)
People look at a ballot box displayed inside the parliament building, a day ahead of Lebanon's parliament's attempt to elect a new head of state in downtown Beirut, Lebanon, January 8, 2025. (Reuters)
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Franjieh Withdraws from Lebanon’s Presidential Race, Backs Army Commander

People look at a ballot box displayed inside the parliament building, a day ahead of Lebanon's parliament's attempt to elect a new head of state in downtown Beirut, Lebanon, January 8, 2025. (Reuters)
People look at a ballot box displayed inside the parliament building, a day ahead of Lebanon's parliament's attempt to elect a new head of state in downtown Beirut, Lebanon, January 8, 2025. (Reuters)

Head of the Marada Movement Suleiman Franjieh announced on Wednesday that he was withdrawing from Lebanon’s presidential election and backing the candidacy of army commander Joseph Aoun.

Lebanon is holding the much-awaited election on Thursday.

In a post on the X platform, Franjieh said: "Now that the conditions are ripe for the election of a president tomorrow, I am withdrawing my candidacy, which has never been an obstacle in the electoral process."

He added that Aoun "enjoys the qualities that would preserve the standing of the country’s top post."

He hoped "the nation would overcome this stage with unity, diligence and responsibility."

Parliament will try to elect a president on Thursday, with officials seeing better chances of success in a political landscape shaken by Israel's war with Hezbollah and the toppling of the group's ally Bashar al-Assad in neighboring Syria.

The post, reserved for a Maronite Christian in the country's sectarian power-sharing system, has been vacant since Michel Aoun's term ended in October 2022. The former president is not related to army commander Aoun.

None of the political groups in the 128-seat parliament have enough seats to impose their choice, and they have so far been unable to agree on a consensus candidate. The vote marks the first test of Lebanon's power balance since the Iran-backed Shiite group Hezbollah - which propelled its then Christian ally Aoun to the presidency in 2016 - emerged badly pummeled from the war with Israel.

The Lebanese parliament building a day before a session to elect the Lebanese president, in Beirut, Lebanon, 08 January 2025. (EPA)

It takes place against a backdrop of historic change in the wider Middle East, where the Assad-led Syrian state exercised sway over Lebanon for decades, both directly and through allies such as Hezbollah.

Before Franjieh withdrew from the race and reflecting the shifts, Hezbollah and its ally the Shiite Amal Movement led by parliament Speaker Nabih Berri dropped their insistence on Franjieh, their declared candidate for the last two years, and said they are ready to go with a less divisive figure, three senior sources familiar with their thinking said.

Candidates in focus include army commander General Joseph Aoun - said by Lebanese politicians to enjoy US approval - Jihad Azour, a senior International Monetary Fund official who formerly served as finance minister, and Major-General Elias al-Baysari - head of General Security, a state security agency.

Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati said he felt happy because "God willing, tomorrow we will have a new president", according to a statement from his office.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot also expressed hope in comments to France Inter radio, saying the election was "a prerequisite for the continuation of this dynamic of peace" and also for Lebanon's economic and social recovery.

However, two of the sources and an analyst cautioned that it was not yet certain any candidate would be elected. To win, a candidate must secure 86 votes in a first round, or 65 in a second round.

Rice is thrown on Newly-appointed General Joseph Aoun (C) as army commander, upon his arrival at his family's house in Sin El Fil, northeast of Beirut, Lebanon March 8, 2017. (Reuters)

‘National awakening’

Joseph Aoun would still need 86 votes because his election requires a constitutional amendment, as he is a still-serving state employee, Berri has said.

A State Department spokesperson said it was "up to Lebanon to choose its next president, not the United States or any external actor".

"We have been consistent in our efforts to press Lebanon to elect a new president, which we see as important to strengthening Lebanon’s political institutions," the spokesperson said.

Hezbollah official Wafiq Safa said last week there was "no veto" on Aoun. But the sources said Hezbollah, designated a terrorist group by the United States, will not support him.

Aoun has a key role in shoring up the ceasefire brokered by Washington and Paris in November. The terms require the Lebanese military to deploy into south Lebanon as Israeli troops and Hezbollah withdraw forces.

Still reeling from a financial collapse in 2019, Lebanon desperately needs foreign aid to rebuild. Much of the damage is in Shiite majority areas.

Hezbollah, its supply line to Iran severed by Assad's ousting, has urged Arab and international support for Lebanon.

Lebanon's Maronite Bishops called on lawmakers to elect a president, urging a "national awakening".