Sisi: Egypt Succeeded in Maintaining Regional Strategic Balance

Military forces are seen in North Sinai, Egypt, December 1, 2017. Picture taken December 1, 2017. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany/File Photo
Military forces are seen in North Sinai, Egypt, December 1, 2017. Picture taken December 1, 2017. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany/File Photo
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Sisi: Egypt Succeeded in Maintaining Regional Strategic Balance

Military forces are seen in North Sinai, Egypt, December 1, 2017. Picture taken December 1, 2017. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany/File Photo
Military forces are seen in North Sinai, Egypt, December 1, 2017. Picture taken December 1, 2017. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany/File Photo

Egyptian President Abdul Fattah el-Sisi praised the pivotal role being played by the Egyptian armed forces in maintaining security, stability and strategic balance in the Middle East region.

This came during his meeting Wednesday with Minister of Defense and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Mohamed Zaki, and Commander of the Egyptian Air Force Abbas Helmy.

Sisi called for maintaining the highest levels of readiness “to protect the country's national security in light of the great challenges facing the region," Presidential spokesman Bassam Rady said.

The president was briefed on several issues related to the activities and preparedness of the armed forces' main branches, particularly the Air Force.

According to Rady, Sisi also reviewed the results of recent joint military exercises with a number of units.

In a related context, Egypt’s Army Chief of Staff Lt. General Mohamed Farid and several chiefs of staff on Arab countries’ armed forces attended the main stage of a joint military drill dubbed "Saif Al Arab," - "Sword of Arabs".

The participating countries include Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Bahrain and Sudan.

This phase showed the accuracy of hitting fixed and moving targets, and the high maneuver capability of the forces through joint work.



Israeli Strike South of Beirut Kills Commander in Jama'a Islamiya Group

A soldier of the Lebanese army stands next to the vehicle that was targeted by the Israeli army in Baaouerta. (X)
A soldier of the Lebanese army stands next to the vehicle that was targeted by the Israeli army in Baaouerta. (X)
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Israeli Strike South of Beirut Kills Commander in Jama'a Islamiya Group

A soldier of the Lebanese army stands next to the vehicle that was targeted by the Israeli army in Baaouerta. (X)
A soldier of the Lebanese army stands next to the vehicle that was targeted by the Israeli army in Baaouerta. (X)

An Israeli drone strike south of the Lebanese capital killed a top commander from the Jama'a Islamiya group, the group said in a statement on Tuesday.

There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military.

The strike on Tuesday morning killed Hussein Atawi, a leading commander in the armed branch of Jama'a Islamiya known as the Fajr Forces, as he was driving from his home to his office in Beirut, the statement said.

The Fajr Forces fired rockets across Lebanon's southern border at Israel throughout the year-long war that ended last year in a ceasefire deal. Israeli airstrikes killed several of the group's members during the conflict.

Since the ceasefire, Israel has continued to carry out strikes on Lebanese territory, mostly targeting fighters from Lebanese armed group Hezbollah or its arms depots. Israeli troops also still occupy five hilltop positions in southern Lebanon.

Lebanon, Hezbollah and the Jama'a Islamiya have condemned the strikes and Israeli troop presence, calling them violations of the truce and of Lebanon's sovereignty. Israel says the fighters and weapons pose a threat to Israeli civilians.