Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has warned of the impact of protests on the country’s “stability” and development plans.
“Just like the change they made in January 25, 2011 and June 30, 2013, Egyptians can make a change for a third and a fourth time," he said.
Sisi's made the remarks during the inauguration of 12 mega-projects in Ismailia and Central Sinai on Sunday, most notably the new tunnels down the Suez canal to facilitate movement to the Sinai Peninsula.
“Since 2011, we have lost billions of dollars,” he explained while expressing gratitude to several Arab countries who have rushed to Egypt’s help.
“Now, we must rely on ourselves, and this will only be achieved through stability and calm.”
Sisi ruled out that protests “can build Egypt,” stressing that such move is also made through "hard work, dedication and stability."
The government has earlier announced that the inaugurated projects, some of which will be completed by June 30, 2020, have cost the government 800 billion pounds.
Egypt counts on developing the Canal governorates (Port Said, Ismailia, Suez) and north and south Sinai governorates to create an integrated economic zone that will help turn North Sinai, which has been in turmoil for years as a result of terrorist attacks, into an attracting investment hub.
The projects to develop the restive Sinai peninsula are estimated to cost 275 billion pounds, Sisi said in February 2018.
They are being implemented by Egyptian companies, he said, adding that the army’s role is supervisory to guarantee the execution of the mega projects on time.
