Sisi Orders Providing Coronavirus Vaccines Once Internationally Available

A health team at the temporary coronavirus test center in Cairo on June 17, 2020 (AP)
A health team at the temporary coronavirus test center in Cairo on June 17, 2020 (AP)
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Sisi Orders Providing Coronavirus Vaccines Once Internationally Available

A health team at the temporary coronavirus test center in Cairo on June 17, 2020 (AP)
A health team at the temporary coronavirus test center in Cairo on June 17, 2020 (AP)

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has ordered providing vaccines for the novel coronavirus once they are made available by international companies, said Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouly on Thursday.

Head of Egypt’s Authority for Unified Procurement, Medical Supply and Technology Management Bahaa El-Din Zidan has recently sent a report to Madbouly on the efforts exerted by his authority to follow up on the latest developments worldwide on the coronavirus vaccines.

Zidan said the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunizations (GAVI) has presented the available vaccines, the manufacturers, and the different stages of their development, as well as the timetable for the process of manufacturing and exporting the vaccine to various countries.

The vaccines are to be manufactured in September and October and GAVI will adopt a plan for distributing them across the affected countries, he added.

Egypt has reiterated its share of the coronavirus vaccine from GAVI during a meeting held on Tuesday between representatives of the authority and officials from the global alliance, he affirmed.

The GAVI is an international body aimed at creating equal access to new and underused vaccines for children.

Along with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), GAVI co-leads the COVAX Facility, a financing mechanism designed to guarantee rapid and fair access to COVID-19 vaccines worldwide.

It aims to deliver two billion doses of safe, effective COVID-19 vaccines by the end of 2021.

Egypt has recorded 30,075 recoveries from COVID-19 since the pandemic’s outbreak.

The Ministry of Health and Population revealed on Thursday that “the index of recovery and discharge from quarantine centers continued to rise after earlier recording 33.5 percent.”

The relative stability in the rates of coronavirus infections in the country has increased the chances of overcoming the crisis.

The government has been gradually easing virus restrictions since June.



Syrian Presidency Condemns Israeli Airstrike Near Presidential Palace as Dangerous Escalation

Syrian citizens salute members of Syria's security forces deployed in the town of Sahnaya, south of Damascus, Syria, Thursday, May 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Ghaith Alsayed)
Syrian citizens salute members of Syria's security forces deployed in the town of Sahnaya, south of Damascus, Syria, Thursday, May 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Ghaith Alsayed)
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Syrian Presidency Condemns Israeli Airstrike Near Presidential Palace as Dangerous Escalation

Syrian citizens salute members of Syria's security forces deployed in the town of Sahnaya, south of Damascus, Syria, Thursday, May 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Ghaith Alsayed)
Syrian citizens salute members of Syria's security forces deployed in the town of Sahnaya, south of Damascus, Syria, Thursday, May 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Ghaith Alsayed)

The Syrian presidency on Friday denounced an Israeli airstrike near the presidential palace in Damascus, calling it a “dangerous escalation” and a continuation of reckless behavior aimed at destabilizing the country and undermining national unity.

In a statement carried by state news agency SANA, the presidency condemned the strike “in the strongest terms,” describing it as an assault on state institutions and a violation of Syria’s sovereignty.

“This aggression reflects ongoing reckless actions designed to exacerbate security crises and threaten the unity of the Syrian people,” the statement read.

The presidency urged the international community and Arab nations to support Syria in resisting what it labeled “hostile acts” by Israel, which it said flagrantly violate international law. It called for unified Arab positions to confront Israeli “aggression” and defend the rights of Arab peoples.

“Syria will not compromise its sovereignty or security,” the presidency said, vowing to pursue all available means to protect its people. It also reiterated its commitment to national dialogue and reform efforts, stressing that the country remains on a path of reconstruction despite mounting challenges.

The Israeli airstrike came amid a fragile return to calm in Druze-majority areas surrounding Damascus, which had experienced unrest in recent days. Tensions in neighborhoods like Ashrafiyat Sahnaya and Jaramana had flared following the leak of an audio recording allegedly featuring a Druze cleric making derogatory remarks about Islam. The incident sparked violent clashes between armed groups, resulting in casualties.

Local leaders and Syrian authorities have since worked to stabilize the situation. Sheikh Laith al-Balaous, a prominent Druze figure and head of the Dignity Forum armed group, said calm had returned to the troubled suburbs after security forces entered the areas and took control.

“We’ve restored order in Sahnaya, Ashrafiyat Sahnaya, and Jaramana. Security forces are now in control, and residents are reporting a return to normal,” Balaous told Asharq Al-Awsat.

Authorities have also struck an agreement with community leaders in Jaramana to disarm local factions and reinforce the presence of security forces. Heavy weapons were handed over, and security checkpoints around the city were bolstered, according to Colonel Hussam al-Tahan, head of Damascus Countryside Security.

In southern Syria’s Suwayda province, the local Druze leadership reached an agreement with the government to expand the role of the Ministry of Interior and security forces using local personnel. Plans are underway to secure key towns and the Suwayda-Damascus highway, while efforts continue to prevent further unrest in the region.

Security officials say more than 700 fighters from local factions have joined General Security, with 1,500 more applying. A new military brigade for Suwayda under the Defense Ministry is reportedly being considered.

Meanwhile, Syria TV reported that a drone strike targeted a farm west of Suwayda city, killing at least three people.