Egypt Celebrates Sinai Day by Announcing Security, Development Victories

Sisi visits the monument of the martyrs of the armed forces. (Egyptian presidency)
Sisi visits the monument of the martyrs of the armed forces. (Egyptian presidency)
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Egypt Celebrates Sinai Day by Announcing Security, Development Victories

Sisi visits the monument of the martyrs of the armed forces. (Egyptian presidency)
Sisi visits the monument of the martyrs of the armed forces. (Egyptian presidency)

Egypt is preparing to celebrate the anniversary of Sinai Liberation Day from Israeli occupation, announcing several security and development achievements.

Egypt celebrates Sinai Liberation Day on April 25 every year to commemorate the completion of the withdrawal of all Israeli military forces from the Sinai Peninsula in 1982.

President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Sunday laid a wreath on the Unknown Soldier Memorial in Cairo's district of Nasr City on the occasion.

He was accompanied by Minister of Defense and Military Production Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Lt-Gen Mohammed Zaki and Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces Lt-Gen Osama Askar.

Sisi then paid his respects at the tomb of late President Mohamed Anwar El-Sadat.

The government announced development projects in Sinai, with investments worth billions of Egyptian pounds.

Military spokesman Colonel Arkan Harb Gharib Abdel Hafez said the armed forces had taken it upon themselves to develop the Sinai Peninsula, according to presidential decrees and in cooperation with the concerned authorities.

In televised statements, he stressed that the armed forces have combated terrorism over the years and made sacrifices to restore normal life in Sinai.

He stated that developing and changing the lives of the citizens in Sinai was done as the military was also cracking down on terrorism. The success has been attested in international reports.

Abdel Hafez referred to a UN report that touched on the state's strategy in combating terrorism on the security, social, and development levels.

He noted that controlling the border is one of the most critical issues of interest to any country, especially Egypt.

The spokesman said the region suffers from instability, adding that border guards played a significant role in securing Sinai.

He stressed that achieving security and stability guarantees the development process and preserves Egypt's interests.

Meanwhile, the cabinet's press office issued a report on Sunday announcing state efforts to develop Sinai.

The report outlined a comprehensive plan to achieve development on the peninsula, including massive national projects in different fields.

It reviewed ventures to connect Egypt's eastern gate with the Delta region to make Sinai, together with the Canal cities, a natural extension of the Nile Valley.

The Sinai and Canal Cities development plan includes investments worth over EGP700 billion.

The projects in the Sinai Peninsula and Canal cities will be developed over eight years.

Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, stated that Egypt will implement 37 projects in higher education in Sinai, worth EGP13 billion.

He revealed that the King Salman International University comes at the forefront of the national projects for higher education in Sinai, at EGP10.5 billion.



Iraqi Judiciary Faces Challenge After Trump’s Win, Arrest Warrant Issued

Trump at an election rally (AFP)
Trump at an election rally (AFP)
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Iraqi Judiciary Faces Challenge After Trump’s Win, Arrest Warrant Issued

Trump at an election rally (AFP)
Trump at an election rally (AFP)

Iraqi President Dr. Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid and Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani congratulated Donald Trump on his win in the US presidential election.

At the same time, Iraq’s parliamentary Foreign Relations Committee began discussing how to handle Trump, following an arrest warrant issued by the Iraqi Supreme Judicial Council over his role in the deaths of Qasem Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis.

Committee member Mokhtar al-Moussawi said in a statement that, under Iraqi law, “Trump is considered a criminal,” but Iraq will engage with him normally due to national interests.

He stressed that Trump’s victory would not affect relations between Baghdad and Washington.

Al-Moussawi, a member of the Shiite Coordination Framework, explained to the press that the US operates as an institutional country and foreign policy doesn’t change much with different presidents.

He also noted that Trump did not recognize or respect the Iraqi government, pointing out that his previous visit to Iraq was limited to meeting US troops at the Al-Asad airbase. Still, Iraq will deal with Trump normally.

The parliamentary Foreign Relations Committee member concluded by saying, “If Trump visits Iraq, it will be hard to enforce the arrest warrant. Iraq’s national interests take priority, preventing the warrant from being carried out against him.”

Iraq’s Supreme Judicial Council Chief, Faik Zidan, announced an arrest warrant for Trump over his role in the killings of Soleimani and al-Muhandis on January 7, 2021.

An official statement confirmed the warrant was based on Article 406 of Iraq’s Penal Code and that investigations would continue to identify other individuals involved, both Iraqi and foreign.

Iraqi legal expert Ali al-Tamimi explained to Asharq Al-Awsat that the judiciary acted based on a complaint from the plaintiff, meaning it is legally required to take action against anyone, whether inside or outside Iraq.

He stated that since the crime occurred in Iraq and targeted Iraqi figures, the case falls under Iraqi jurisdiction.

Al-Tamimi confirmed that the arrest warrant for Trump was issued under Article 406 of the Iraqi Penal Code, which covers premeditated murder. As Trump is considered a partner in the operation, he said the legal procedure was correct.

In response to a question about enforcing the arrest warrant, al-Tamimi said it could be done through Interpol by submitting a request via Iraq’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, though this would be difficult in practice.

Another option would be for Iraq to join the 1948 Rome Statute, which allows prosecution for crimes like the assassination ordered by Trump. However, Iraq would need to first join the agreement.

Al-Tamimi also noted that, as a head of state, Trump has immunity under the Vienna Convention.