Egypt’s Sisi Vows to Continue Construction Projects until Establishment of ‘New Republic’

President Sisi at the Cultural Symposium of the Armed Forces on Tuesday. (Egyptian presidency)
President Sisi at the Cultural Symposium of the Armed Forces on Tuesday. (Egyptian presidency)
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Egypt’s Sisi Vows to Continue Construction Projects until Establishment of ‘New Republic’

President Sisi at the Cultural Symposium of the Armed Forces on Tuesday. (Egyptian presidency)
President Sisi at the Cultural Symposium of the Armed Forces on Tuesday. (Egyptian presidency)

Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi stressed on Tuesday that his country’s war on terrorism has achieved significant victories

Speaking at the Cultural Symposium of the Armed Forces marking the 49th anniversary of the 6th of October War victory in 1973, he vowed that the construction process in Egypt will continue until the establishment of the “New Republic.”

“This republic aims to achieve the aspirations of this and future generations and lay out the path of progress,” he declared.

Sisi said the development projects would achieve security and hopes for the new generations and will also improve the living conditions of the people.

He said the state had been carrying on with development projects even as it waged a war on terrorism.

He noted that the army and civilian police had fought the “forces of evil” in Sinai for eight consecutive years since 2011, claiming major victories.

The state’s current efforts will continue to have an impact for years to come, Sisi added.

He hailed the heroics displayed during the October War that demonstrated the abilities of the Egyptian people and superiority “during the most difficult moments witnessed by the Arab nation”.

Egypt not only defended its territories, but it also fought for peace, he stated.

He saluted late President Anwar al-Sadat the “hero of war and peace” and everyone who had a hand in Egypt's glories in its modern history.



Syria to Take Time Organizing National Dialogue, Foreign Minister Says

 Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani speaks during a press conference with Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi in Amman, Jordan January 7, 2025. (Reuters)
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani speaks during a press conference with Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi in Amman, Jordan January 7, 2025. (Reuters)
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Syria to Take Time Organizing National Dialogue, Foreign Minister Says

 Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani speaks during a press conference with Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi in Amman, Jordan January 7, 2025. (Reuters)
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani speaks during a press conference with Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi in Amman, Jordan January 7, 2025. (Reuters)

Syria will take its time to organize a landmark national dialogue conference to ensure that the preparations include all segments of Syrian society, Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani said on Tuesday, according to state media.

The conference is meant to bring together Syrians from across society to chart a new path for the nation after opposition factions ousted autocratic President Bashar al-Assad. Assad, whose family had ruled Syria for 54 years, fled to Russia.

"We will take our time with the national dialogue conference to have the opportunity to form a preparatory committee that can accommodate the comprehensive representation of Syria from all segments and governments," Shibani said.

Diplomats and visiting envoys had in recent days told Syria's new rulers it would be better not to rush the conference to improve its chances of success, rather than yield mixed results, two diplomats said.

The new government has not yet decided on a date for the conference, sources previously told Reuters, and several members of opposition groups have recently said that they had not received invitations.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday time was needed for Syria to pick itself up again and rebuild following Assad's overthrow, and that the damage to infrastructure from 13 years of civil war looked worse than anticipated.

Since Assad's fall on Dec. 8, Türkiye has repeatedly said it would provide any help needed to help its neighbor rebuild, and has sent its foreign minister, intelligence chief, and an energy ministry delegation to discuss providing it with electricity.

Türkiye shares a 911-km (565-mile) border with Syria and has carried out several cross-border incursions against Kurdish YPG militants it views as terrorists.