Egypt's Sisi Backs National Projects, Rejects Claims Economic Crisis Caused by Domestic Policies

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. (Egyptian presidency)
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. (Egyptian presidency)
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Egypt's Sisi Backs National Projects, Rejects Claims Economic Crisis Caused by Domestic Policies

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. (Egyptian presidency)
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. (Egyptian presidency)

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi rejected "misleading claims" that said the global economic crisis was only limited to Egypt and caused by domestic policies.

He also defended national projects, saying they were the basis for achieving comprehensive economic development and expressed his confidence in Egypt's ability to overcome the crisis.

Sisi was speaking at a ceremony marking 71st Police Day at the Police Academy Conference Complex.

He said the world is witnessing a "harsh and unprecedented economic crisis" not seen since the Great Depression and the two world wars.

The repercussions of the current crisis resulted in what is now known internationally as the global cost of living situation, he remarked, adding that the government aimed to mitigate the impact of the crisis.

Sisi acknowledged that the impact of the crisis is significant and burdened the citizens, especially low-income groups who struggle daily to meet their needs.

He asserted the state's commitment to supporting the people.

The government is working on providing for their families' needs in ways that help them confront price hikes.

"The state remains steadfast in its commitment to help these people in a way that does not and will not change," Sisi vowed.

Egypt, like other countries in the world, is facing an economic crisis due to the consequences of the Russian-Ukrainian war. The crisis has been compounded by a drop in the currency against the dollar.

The country received recently a loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The economic crunch has increased political criticism against government spending allocated for mega national projects.

Sisi explained that Egypt's economic and demographic conditions necessitate taking giant leaps in a short time, stressing that the country is in a race against time to overcome the dangers and repercussions of population growth.

The major development projects carried out by the state were not for show, but necessary to establish the investment environment and infrastructure to achieve comprehensive economic development that raises the standard of living of all people, said Sisi.

"It is impossible to embark on the path of modern industrialization and massive export without having the necessary elements to achieve this, including cities, roads, a transportation network, technology, electricity, water, and sanitation."

Addressing the currency exchange rate, the president stressed that the dollar crisis is not new but a recurring pattern resulting from the country's weak production and export capabilities and its increasing demand for dollar goods and services.

"Boosting production and export is pivotal for Egypt. We know that and are sparing no effort as we work to achieve that aim," added Sisi.

Police Day is celebrated on January 25 and commemorates the police’s resistance against the British occupation forces in Ismailia in 1952. Dozens of officers were killed at the time.



FM: Iraq Wants Iran-backed Factions to Lay Down Weapons

Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein speaks during an interview in London, Britain, January 15, 2025. REUTERS/Marissa Davison
Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein speaks during an interview in London, Britain, January 15, 2025. REUTERS/Marissa Davison
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FM: Iraq Wants Iran-backed Factions to Lay Down Weapons

Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein speaks during an interview in London, Britain, January 15, 2025. REUTERS/Marissa Davison
Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein speaks during an interview in London, Britain, January 15, 2025. REUTERS/Marissa Davison

Iraq is trying to convince powerful armed factions in the country that have fought US forces and fired rockets and drones at Israel to lay down their weapons or join official security forces, Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein said.

The push comes with a backdrop of seismic shifts in the Middle East that have seen Iran's armed allies in Gaza and Lebanon heavily degraded and Syria's government overthrown.

The incoming US Trump administration promises to pile more pressure on Tehran, which has long backed a number of political parties and an array of armed factions in Iraq.

Some Baghdad officials are concerned the status quo there may be upended next, but Hussein played this down in an interview with Reuters during an official visit to London.

"We don't think that Iraq is the next," Hussein said.

The government was in talks to rein in the groups while continuing to walk the tightrope between its ties to both Washington and Tehran, he said.
"Two or three years ago it was impossible to discuss this topic in our society," he said.

But now, having armed groups functioning outside the state was not acceptable.

"Many political leaders, many political parties started to raise a discussion, and I hope that we can convince the leaders of these groups to lay down their arms, and then to be part of the armed forces under the responsibility of the government," Hussein said.

Iraq's balancing act has been tested by Iran-backed Iraqi armed groups' attacks on Israel and on US troops in the country they say are in solidarity with Palestinians during the Israel-Hamas war.

A promised Gaza ceasefire has the government breathing a sigh of relief, though uncertainty prevails over how the country may fare after Donald Trump becomes US president.

During the last Trump presidency, relations grew tense as he ordered the assassination of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani in Baghdad in 2020, leading to an Iranian ballistic missile attack on an Iraqi base housing US forces.

"We hope that we can continue this good relationship with Washington," Hussein said. "It is too early now to talk about which policy President Trump is going to follow for Iraq or Iran."

Iraq will only be reassured about Syria when it sees an inclusive political process, Hussein said, adding Baghdad would supply the country with grain and oil once it could be assured it would go to all Syrians.
Baghdad was in talks with Syria's foreign minister over a visit to Iraq, he said.

"We are worried about the ISIS, so we are in contact with the Syrian side to talk about these things, but at the end to have a stable Syria means to have the representative of all components in the political process."

Baghdad and Washington last year agreed to end the US-led coalition's work by September 2026 and transition to bilateral military ties, but Hussein said that the developments in Syria would have to be watched.

"In the first place, we are thinking about security of Iraq and stability in Iraq. If there will be a threat to our country, of course it will be a different story," he said.