Egyptian President Lauds Efforts of Armed Forces

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi during his meeting with members of the Armed Forces (Egyptian Presidency)
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi during his meeting with members of the Armed Forces (Egyptian Presidency)
TT

Egyptian President Lauds Efforts of Armed Forces

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi during his meeting with members of the Armed Forces (Egyptian Presidency)
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi during his meeting with members of the Armed Forces (Egyptian Presidency)

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi lauded the Armed Forces' efforts in carrying out their missions with all dedication.

He confirmed that the Egyptian people appreciate the efforts and sacrifices of "the heroes of the Armed Forces in defense of Egypt's security and safety."

Sisi performed Friday prayers in al-Mushir Tantawy Mosque in Cairo and then met with several Armed Forces commanders on the occasion of the 10th of Ramadan War victory.

Sisi was accompanied by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli, Minister of Defense Mohamed Zaki, Egypt's Army Chief of Staff Osama Askar, and ministers of justice, Awqaf, interior, local development, and state for military production.

Cairo Governor Khaled Abdel Aal, Egypt's Mufti Shawqi Allam, Armed Forces commanders, officers, and soldiers also attended the prayers.

After the Friday prayers, Sisi met with the Armed Forces' commanders, extending his greetings to them on the 10th of Ramadan War victory. The President held talks with the commanders, tackling all local, regional and international developments and their impact on the region.

Earlier, the Minister of Defense said during the Egyptian Armed Forces' celebration that the anniversary of the tenth of Ramadan is a victory that embodied the heroism and sacrifices of the armed forces in recovering the land of Sinai.

He said they restored Egypt's pride and dignity and the Arab nation's glory and pride, stressing it will remain a great day in the history of the Egyptian military.

The Minister reiterated that the armed forces will always remain a strong protector of Egypt that defends its national security and preserves its sanctities and the integrity of its lands.



EU Could Lift Some Syria Sanctions Quickly

FILED - 30 September 2024, Lebanon, Beirut: French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot speaks during a press conference at the Pine Residence, the official residence of the French ambassador to Lebanon. Photo: Marwan Naamani/dpa
FILED - 30 September 2024, Lebanon, Beirut: French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot speaks during a press conference at the Pine Residence, the official residence of the French ambassador to Lebanon. Photo: Marwan Naamani/dpa
TT

EU Could Lift Some Syria Sanctions Quickly

FILED - 30 September 2024, Lebanon, Beirut: French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot speaks during a press conference at the Pine Residence, the official residence of the French ambassador to Lebanon. Photo: Marwan Naamani/dpa
FILED - 30 September 2024, Lebanon, Beirut: French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot speaks during a press conference at the Pine Residence, the official residence of the French ambassador to Lebanon. Photo: Marwan Naamani/dpa

European Union sanctions in Syria that obstruct the delivery of humanitarian aid and hinder the country's recovery could be lifted swiftly, France's foreign minister said Wednesday.
The United States on Monday issued a sanctions exemption for transactions with governing institutions in Syria for six months after the end of Bashar al-Assad's rule to try to ease the flow of humanitarian assistance.
Speaking to France Inter radio, Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said the EU could take a similar decision soon without giving precise timing, while adding that lifting more political sanctions would depend on how Syria's new leadership handled the transition and ensured exclusivity.
"There are other (sanctions), which today hinder access to humanitarian aid, which hinder the recovery of the country. These could be lifted quickly," said Barrot, who met Syria's de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa on Friday with Germany's foreign minister.
"Finally, there are other sanctions, which we are discussing with our European partners, which could be lifted, but obviously depending on the pace at which our expectations for Syria regarding women and security are taken into account."
Three European diplomats speaking on condition of anonymity said the EU would seek to agree to lift some sanctions by the time the bloc's 27 foreign ministers meet in Brussels on Jan. 27.
Two of the diplomats said one aim was to facilitate financial transactions to allow funds to return to the country, ease air transport and lessen sanctions targeting the energy sector to improve power supplies.
Syria suffers from severe power shortages, with state-supplied electricity available two or three hours per day in most areas. The caretaker government says it aims to provide electricity for up to eight hours per day within two months.
The US waivers allow some energy transactions and personal remittances to Syria until July 7, but do not remove any sanctions.