Egypt's Sisi Underlines 'Great Achievement' in Eliminating Terrorism

Sisi meets with members of the Supreme Police Council. (Egyptian Presidency)
Sisi meets with members of the Supreme Police Council. (Egyptian Presidency)
TT

Egypt's Sisi Underlines 'Great Achievement' in Eliminating Terrorism

Sisi meets with members of the Supreme Police Council. (Egyptian Presidency)
Sisi meets with members of the Supreme Police Council. (Egyptian Presidency)

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi underlined the “great achievement” in eliminating terrorism across the country.

He said Egypt’s ultimate goal is to preserve its survival, maintain security and provide safety for citizens.

Sisi was speaking during the 70th Police Day celebrations at the Police Academy in New Cairo, which coincided with the 11th anniversary of the January Revolution that ousted former President Hosni Mubarak.

Police Day marks the anniversary of the Ismailiyah Battle in 1952 when Egyptian police officers refused to hand over their weapons to the British occupation and evacuate the Ismailiyah governorate building.

Sisi said the “glorious” battle embodies police heroism and the values of sacrifice, redemption and courage in defense of the homeland.

He saluted the police martyrs and their families and hailed their sacrifices to ensure 100 million citizens could live in peace, security and progress.

He praised the national role played by police officers and the armed forces to maintain security and stability across the country and achieve the aspired comprehensive development.

The January 25 Revolution was a revolt led by devoted youth who were looking forward to a better future and reality, he declared.

What has been achieved at the economic and security levels is just a step on the path to build the future, he stressed.

Sisi added that the leadership seeks to consolidate the foundations of the country’s stability and build the new republic that preserves the dignity of the Egyptians and provides them with the best living conditions.



Biden: Joseph Aoun is ‘First-Rate Guy’

FILE - President Joe Biden addresses the nation from the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, July 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, Pool, File)
FILE - President Joe Biden addresses the nation from the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, July 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, Pool, File)
TT

Biden: Joseph Aoun is ‘First-Rate Guy’

FILE - President Joe Biden addresses the nation from the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, July 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, Pool, File)
FILE - President Joe Biden addresses the nation from the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, July 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, Pool, File)

US President Joe Biden welcomed the election of Joseph Aoun as Lebanon's president on Thursday, saying in a statement that the army chief was the “right leader” for the country.

“President Aoun has my confidence. I believe strongly he is the right leader for this time,” said Biden, adding that Aoun would provide “critical leadership” in overseeing an Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire.

Aoun's election by Lebanese lawmakers ended a more than two-year vacancy and could mark a step towards lifting the country out of financial meltdown.

“We finally have a president,” Biden said later, at the end of a meeting on the response to major wildfires in the US city of Los Angeles.

He said he had spoken to Aoun by phone on Thursday for “20 minutes to half an hour,” describing the Lebanese leader as a “first-rate guy.”

Biden pledged to continue US support for Lebanon’s security forces, and for Lebanon’s recovery and reconstruction, the White House said in a readout of Biden’s call with Aoun.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called Aoun's election “a moment of historic opportunity,” which offered Lebanon a chance to “establish durable peace and stability.”

Aoun, who turned 61 on Friday, faces the difficult task of overseeing the fragile ceasefire with Israel in south Lebanon.

Separately, Biden spoke about the hostage talks between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

“We’re making some real progress,” he told reporters at the White House, adding that he had spoken with US negotiators earlier Thursday.

“I know hope springs eternal, but I’m still hopeful that we’ll be able to have a prisoner exchange.”

Biden added: “Hamas is the one getting in the way of that exchange right now, but I think we may be able to get that done. We need to get it done.”