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.



UN Peacekeepers Say Troops Attacked by Individuals in South Lebanon

A joint force from UNIFIL and the Lebanese army in Naqoura near the Israeli border (Archive - AFP)
A joint force from UNIFIL and the Lebanese army in Naqoura near the Israeli border (Archive - AFP)
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UN Peacekeepers Say Troops Attacked by Individuals in South Lebanon

A joint force from UNIFIL and the Lebanese army in Naqoura near the Israeli border (Archive - AFP)
A joint force from UNIFIL and the Lebanese army in Naqoura near the Israeli border (Archive - AFP)

United Nations peacekeepers said rock-throwing individuals confronted them during a patrol on Tuesday in south Lebanon, calling repeated targeting of their troops "unacceptable".

The UN Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL), deployed since 1978 to separate Lebanon and Israel, sits on a five-member committee to supervise the ceasefire between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah.

In a statement, UNIFIL said peacekeepers conducting "a planned patrol" coordinated with the Lebanese army were "confronted by a group of individuals in civilian clothing in the vicinity of Hallusiyat al-Tahta, in southern Lebanon".

"The group attempted to obstruct the patrol using aggressive means, including throwing stones at the peacekeepers," the statement read, adding that "one peacekeeper was struck" but no injuries were reported, AFP reported.

The situation was defused when the Lebanese army intervened, allowing the peacekeeping force to continue its patrol.

"It is unacceptable that UNIFIL peacekeepers continue to be targeted," the statement added.

UNIFIL spokesman Andrea Tenenti told AFP a Finnish soldier was slapped during the confrontation.

A witness, who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the situation, said an altercation ensued between locals and the Lebanese army, who were searching for the man who slapped the peacekeeper.

One man opposing the army was injured and hospitalized, the witness said.

In a statement, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said he "strongly condemns the repeated attacks" on UNIFIL forces and called for the attackers to be stopped and held accountable.

There have been several confrontations between people in south Lebanon, where Hezbollah holds sway, and UN peacekeepers in recent weeks.

Confrontations are typically defused by the Lebanese army and rarely escalate.

In December 2022, an Irish peacekeeper was killed in a shooting at a UN armoured vehicle in the south. Hezbollah surrendered a man accused of the crime, but he was released around a year later.

The November ceasefire agreement, which sought to end over a year of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, states that only Lebanese troops and UN peacekeepers may be deployed in the country's south.

Israel is supposed to have fully withdrawn its troops from Lebanon according to the deal, but has remained in five positions it deems strategic and has repeatedly bombed the country.