Egypt: Retrial of ‘Damietta Cell’ Members Postponed to June 8

Security forces stand guard in Alexandria, Egypt (file photo: Reuters)
Security forces stand guard in Alexandria, Egypt (file photo: Reuters)
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Egypt: Retrial of ‘Damietta Cell’ Members Postponed to June 8

Security forces stand guard in Alexandria, Egypt (file photo: Reuters)
Security forces stand guard in Alexandria, Egypt (file photo: Reuters)

The Cairo Criminal Court decided Sunday to postpone the first hearing of the retrial of three accused members of the Damietta terrorist cell to June 8.

The public prosecutor referred the defendants to the criminal court after charging them along with several others.

The charges include forming a terrorist group that embraces takfiri ideologies and committing crimes such as targeting churches, Christians and the state’s vital installations.

They also joined a terrorist group that was established in violation of the provisions of the law. The group calls for breaching the constitution, preventing state institutions from functioning, targeting public and private facilities and disturbing public peace.

The retrial of suspects accused in the case known as “Kerdasa massacre” was postponed to June 1.

The suspects stormed Kerdasa Police Center in August 2013, killed the head of the station, his deputy, 12 officers and a police conscript.

The public prosecution referred the defendant and others to the criminal court on charges of “participating in the August 2013 protests and committing premeditated murders after storming the police station.

The criminal court had in 2017 sentenced 20 defendants to death, 80 to life in prison, while 34 had received a 15-year sentence and a minor 10 years.



Lebanon’s Berri: Resolution 1701 Stands Unchanged

Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri meets with US envoy Amos Hochstein during his recent visit to Beirut (AFP)
Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri meets with US envoy Amos Hochstein during his recent visit to Beirut (AFP)
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Lebanon’s Berri: Resolution 1701 Stands Unchanged

Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri meets with US envoy Amos Hochstein during his recent visit to Beirut (AFP)
Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri meets with US envoy Amos Hochstein during his recent visit to Beirut (AFP)

Lebanon is monitoring Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s response to US President Joe Biden’s push for a ceasefire in southern Lebanon.

Biden has sent advisors Amos Hochstein and Brett McGurk to Tel Aviv to discuss the matter with Netanyahu, marking what Lebanese officials see as the last chance for progress before the US presidential election on Nov. 5.

Lebanese leaders, including Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Najib Mikati, are cautious about predicting results.

Mikati did not comment after his recent meetings with US advisors.

However, Berri highlighted Lebanon’s prior agreement with Hochstein to a ceasefire, deploying the Lebanese army in the south, and enforcing UN Resolution 1701.

Berri reaffirmed that Lebanon won’t alter these terms, saying, “What’s agreed is agreed; Resolution 1701 stands unchanged.”

The speaker clarified that Lebanon has fulfilled its commitments and is now waiting for Netanyahu’s response, noting that Lebanon is ready to implement the ceasefire if Hochstein can secure Netanyahu’s agreement.

“The ball is now in Netanyahu’s court,” Berri said, pointing out that Netanyahu has previously agreed to and then withdrawn from ceasefire deals.

According to sources, Hezbollah is fully behind Berri’s mandate for a ceasefire.

Hezbollah’s newly appointed Secretary-General, Sheikh Naim Qassem, recently confirmed the party’s support.

Qassem is closely following developments with the party’s military leadership, while Hezbollah’s MPs continue discussions with other blocs to clarify their position.

Lebanese sources stressed that reaching a ceasefire is critical and must happen as soon as possible, asserting that Netanyahu should not leverage the situation in Gaza as a pretext to avoid a southern ceasefire.

As Biden’s envoys prepare to meet with Netanyahu, Lebanese officials remain focused on whether this effort will result in an agreement.

The ongoing clashes near the southern Lebanese town of Khiam, where Hezbollah is actively resisting Israeli advances, have intensified the situation, making the outcome of these discussions crucial.