Army Vows to Confront Attempts to Destabilize Egypt

The Egyptian Defense Minister addresses members of the House of Representatives and Senate (Egyptian military)
The Egyptian Defense Minister addresses members of the House of Representatives and Senate (Egyptian military)
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Army Vows to Confront Attempts to Destabilize Egypt

The Egyptian Defense Minister addresses members of the House of Representatives and Senate (Egyptian military)
The Egyptian Defense Minister addresses members of the House of Representatives and Senate (Egyptian military)

Egyptian defense officials have vowed to confront schemes aimed at destabilizing the country.

Defense Minister Gen. Mohamed Zaki met on Saturday with a delegation from the House of Representatives and the Senate, in the presence of Army Chief of Staff Lieutenant-General Osama Askar and senior commanders.

They “reviewed the current situation and threats that may face Egypt’s national security in light of the international and regional changes,” a statement said.

Head of Intelligence Abbas Kamel briefed the senior officials on the current situation and the challenges facing the country’s national security, as well as efforts aimed at maintaining stability and security, the statement noted.

Major Generals Ahmed al-Awadi and Osama Montaser, heads of Defense and National Security Committee in the House of Representatives and the Senate, hailed efforts made by the armed forces to serve the country and its people.

Zaki underlined the importance of communication to follow up on all developments locally, regionally and in the world.

The armed forces are prepared to deter any attempt to tamper with Egypt’s security and stability, the minister stressed.



Syria Announces 200 Percent Public Sector Wage, Pension Increase

FILE PHOTO: Bundles of Syrian currency notes are stacked up as an employee counts money at Syrian central bank, in Damascus,Syria, January 12, 2025. REUTERS/Firas Makdesi/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Bundles of Syrian currency notes are stacked up as an employee counts money at Syrian central bank, in Damascus,Syria, January 12, 2025. REUTERS/Firas Makdesi/File Photo
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Syria Announces 200 Percent Public Sector Wage, Pension Increase

FILE PHOTO: Bundles of Syrian currency notes are stacked up as an employee counts money at Syrian central bank, in Damascus,Syria, January 12, 2025. REUTERS/Firas Makdesi/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Bundles of Syrian currency notes are stacked up as an employee counts money at Syrian central bank, in Damascus,Syria, January 12, 2025. REUTERS/Firas Makdesi/File Photo

Syria announced on Sunday a 200 percent hike in public sector wages and pensions, as it seeks to address a grinding economic crisis after the recent easing of international sanctions.

Over a decade of civil war has taken a heavy toll on Syria's economy, with the United Nations reporting more than 90 percent of its people live in poverty.

In a decree published by state media, interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa issued a "200 percent increase to salaries and wages... for all civilian and military workers in public ministries, departments and institutions.”

Under the decree, the minimum wage for government employees was raised to 750,000 Syrian pounds per month, or around $75, up from around $25, AFP reported.

A separate decree granted the same 200 percent increase to retirement pensions included under current social insurance legislation.

Last month, the United States and European Union announced they would lift economic sanctions in a bid to help the country's recovery.

Also in May, Syria's Finance Minister Mohammed Barnieh said Qatar would help it pay some public sector salaries.

The extendable arrangement was for $29 million a month for three months, and would cover "wages in the health, education and social affairs sectors and non-military" pensions, he had said.

Barnieh had said the grant would be managed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and covered around a fifth of current wages and salaries.

Syria has some 1.25 million public sector workers, according to official figures.