Egypt Celebrates Anniversary of Muslim Brotherhood Overthrow, Awaits Launch of National Dialogue

Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi speaks during a joint statement with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, and Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades after a trilateral summit between Greece, Cyprus and Egypt, in Athens, Greece, October 19, 2021 REUTERS/Costas Baltas
Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi speaks during a joint statement with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, and Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades after a trilateral summit between Greece, Cyprus and Egypt, in Athens, Greece, October 19, 2021 REUTERS/Costas Baltas
TT

Egypt Celebrates Anniversary of Muslim Brotherhood Overthrow, Awaits Launch of National Dialogue

Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi speaks during a joint statement with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, and Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades after a trilateral summit between Greece, Cyprus and Egypt, in Athens, Greece, October 19, 2021 REUTERS/Costas Baltas
Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi speaks during a joint statement with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, and Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades after a trilateral summit between Greece, Cyprus and Egypt, in Athens, Greece, October 19, 2021 REUTERS/Costas Baltas

Egypt’s official authorities celebrated on Monday the 9th anniversary of the June 30 Revolution, which overthrew the rule of the Muslim Brotherhood organization.

In an official greeting message addressed to President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said: “The June 30 revolution represents a significant day in the life of the Egyptian people, who rose up against the forces of evil and darkness that hijacked the country.”

The prime minister noted that the revolution “will remain a milestone in Egyptian history, as millions of Egyptians took to the streets, demonstrating against plans to abolish the identity of the country and prejudice its security and capabilities.”

He added that the government would maintain the process of work and construction, under the leadership of Sisi, to achieve development goals and enhance Egypt’s position at the regional and global levels.

For his part, General Mohamed Zaki, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Minister of Defense and Military Production, stressed that the Egyptian army under the leadership of Sisi (then-Defense minister) “confirmed its complete support to the will of the Egyptian people and defense of the sanctity of the homeland and the integrity of its lands.”

Meanwhile, the Board of Trustees of the National Dialogue Administration, which includes 19 members, continued preparations for its upcoming sessions, ahead of the country’s national dialogue.

The Board has been appointed after a 20-day consultation among politicians, trade union officials, political parties’ members and representatives participating in this dialogue.

In recent remarks, El-Sisi said that the national dialogue was aimed at listening to people’s opinions for “the sake of the nation.”

The initiative comes as part of Sisi’s national human rights strategy, launched in September with vows to open the public space to be more and more inclusive. As such, hundreds of inmates, including dozens of human rights activists, have recently been released by the Presidential Pardon Committee.



US Says Committed to 'Diplomatic Resolution' in Lebanon

FILE - Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin speaks in Greenwich, London, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, Pool, File)
FILE - Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin speaks in Greenwich, London, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, Pool, File)
TT

US Says Committed to 'Diplomatic Resolution' in Lebanon

FILE - Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin speaks in Greenwich, London, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, Pool, File)
FILE - Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin speaks in Greenwich, London, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, Pool, File)

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin stressed that the United States was dedicated to a diplomatic resolution in Lebanon and urged Israel to improve "dire" conditions in Gaza, in a call Saturday with his Israeli counterpart.

Austin "reiterated US commitment to a diplomatic resolution in Lebanon that allows Israeli and Lebanese civilians to return safely to their homes on both sides of the border" in his call with Israel Katz, according to a Pentagon spokesperson.

Austin also "urged the Government of Israel to continue to take steps to improve the dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza and emphasized the US commitment to securing the release of all hostages, including US citizens."

Lebanon said Saturday that an Israeli air strike in the heart of Beirut that brought down a residential building and jolted residents across the city killed at least 11 people.

Israel stepped up its campaign against the Hezbollah militant group in late September, targeting its strongholds in Lebanon.

Lebanon's health ministry says at least 3,645 people have been killed since October 2023, when Hezbollah began trading fire with Israel in solidarity with its Palestinian ally Hamas.

The United Nations and others have repeatedly decried humanitarian conditions, particularly in northern Gaza, where Israel said Friday it had killed two commanders involved in Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack.

In the call with Katz, Austin also discussed ongoing Israeli operations and reaffirmed Washington's "ironclad commitment to Israel's security," the Pentagon said.