عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Arab World

Egyptian Cabinet Asserts Availability of Basic Commodities

A woman holding her baby shops at a vegetable market in Cairo (Reuters)
A woman holding her baby shops at a vegetable market in Cairo (Reuters)
TT
TT

Egyptian Cabinet Asserts Availability of Basic Commodities

A woman holding her baby shops at a vegetable market in Cairo (Reuters)
A woman holding her baby shops at a vegetable market in Cairo (Reuters)

Egyptian government asserted that the country has enough stock of all basic commodities, and monitoring campaigns to fight monopolistic practices are being intensified during Ramadan month.

The Egyptian Minister of Supply and Internal Trade, Ali al-Moselhi, said that the strategic reserve of various essential commodities is reassuring, with discounts ranging between 20 and 30 percent at the Ministry's outlets and "Ahlan Ramadan" exhibitions.

The Prime Minister, Mostafa Madbouly, reaffirmed the necessity of preserving the state's strategic stock of primary food commodities and maximizing the added value of storing items from the series of strategic silos established throughout the republic.

Madbouly indicated that the stocks aim to maintain the stability of the state's food security position by meeting the needs of citizens in appropriate quantities.

Moselhi revealed the position of the strategic stock and balances of all essential food commodities within the planning framework to preserve the strategic stock despite the repercussions of the global crisis.

The meeting reviewed the strategic stockpile of wheat, sugar, corn, oil, rice, and frozen meat and poultry, stressing that the strategic reserve of various essential commodities is reassuring.

The stockpile is sufficient for the local consumption of about three months, noting that the season for supplying local wheat will start in April.

Moselhi pointed out that the rice stock is enough for about four months, some quantities have been contracted, and the supply of sugar covers four months, while oil suffices the market's needs for about five months and pasta for a period of seven months.

The Egyptian government announced that 25,000 tons of frozen poultry would be exempted from customs taxes to be placed in the Ministry's outlets, within the framework of providing food commodities to citizens at reasonable prices to meet their needs.

The government affirms its interest in providing basic commodities to the citizen at fair prices to reduce the repercussions of global crises on the citizen.

It indicates that it would not tolerate merchants monopolizing food commodities and increasing the prices, urging the citizens to report any such practices.

The cabinet approved a draft decision by the Prime Minister to amend some provisions of the minimum wage decision for public employees, depending on their job level.

Most Viewed

 
 
Arab World

Iraq Frustrated by Iran’s Reluctance to Rein in Militias

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has cautioned leaders of the Coordination Framework about the threats facing Iraq due to the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran (X)
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has cautioned leaders of the Coordination Framework about the threats facing Iraq due to the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran (X)
TT
TT

Iraq Frustrated by Iran’s Reluctance to Rein in Militias

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has cautioned leaders of the Coordination Framework about the threats facing Iraq due to the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran (X)
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has cautioned leaders of the Coordination Framework about the threats facing Iraq due to the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran (X)

A senior government official said Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has warned leaders of the Coordination Framework about the “risks to Iraq” from the growing conflict between Israel and Iran.

The official added that Iran is using “deception” when asked to distance its allied militias from the war.

Political and government figures are increasingly worried that Iraq could be hit, after two Israeli soldiers were killed in a drone strike on the Golan Heights early Friday.

Speaking anonymously to Asharq Al-Awsat, the official said al-Sudani is taking steps to keep Iraq out of the conflict.

These efforts include ramping up “political mediation” to persuade militias not to involve Iraq. The prime minister “informed Coordination Framework leaders of the risks” and urged them to “act quickly.”

The official also warned that an attack is still possible, saying intelligence shows the Iraqi militias launched the strike from outside Iraq, using weapons that came from Iraqi territory.

Al-Sudani’s Mediation Efforts

The Iraqi premier has chosen mediators, approved by Iran, to negotiate with militias about the conflict and conditions for de-escalation. These three individuals have previously acted as mediators in past crises.

Last week, Asharq Al-Awsat reported that al-Sudani asked three key Shiite figures to intervene and prevent militias from getting involved in the war between Hezbollah and Israel, after reports surfaced that Israel had identified 35 Iraqi targets.

Sources confirmed that Ammar al-Hakim is among the mediators, along with two other influential Shiite leaders whose names haven’t been disclosed.

However, two Iraqi militias—likely the al-Nujaba Movement led by Akram al-Kaabi and Kataib Hezbollah led by Abu Hussein al-Hamidawi—have refused to cooperate and continue launching rocket attacks on Israel.

The Iraqi official admitted that some militias are “stubborn,” but stressed that al-Sudani knows Iraq is “at the center of the storm.”

He reportedly told leaders of the Coordination Framework, “Iraq cannot avoid a military strike if it happens, so we must stay out of the war to protect the country.”

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, in a Friday sermon, stated that “Iran’s allies in the region won’t back down,” increasing concerns that Iraqi militias tied to Iran will continue attacking Israel.

Iraqi sources also reported that the Coordination Framework has reviewed an “intelligence report” on dozens of Iraqi targets that Israel might strike or assassinate.

Government Efforts to Prevent Escalation

Al-Sudani has blocked the flow of Iraqi funds into conflict zones, unlike previous leaders, according to the official.

He has worked closely with the US and its Treasury Department to strictly monitor financial movements, often insisting that Iran uses official channels to claim its dues from Iraq.

The official also said global auditing firms are now helping Iraq’s central bank oversee financial transactions, shutting down all previous routes for illicit money flows.

Since the Gaza war began on October 7, 2023, the US told Iraq it pressured Israel not to strike Iraq, as long as Iraq stays out of the conflict, the official added.

The US doesn’t oppose Iraq’s stance of condemning Israel, supporting Lebanon and Palestine, and sending aid.

But it “won’t accept any financial or military support to militias.”

Regarding Iran’s role, the official said Tehran claims militias act independently, dodging responsibility for reining them in.