Egypt Launches EDEX 2021

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi at the Egypt International Exhibition for Military and Defense Industries "EDEX 2021" (Egyptian Presidency)
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi at the Egypt International Exhibition for Military and Defense Industries "EDEX 2021" (Egyptian Presidency)
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Egypt Launches EDEX 2021

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi at the Egypt International Exhibition for Military and Defense Industries "EDEX 2021" (Egyptian Presidency)
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi at the Egypt International Exhibition for Military and Defense Industries "EDEX 2021" (Egyptian Presidency)

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi inaugurated the Egypt International Exhibition for Military and Defense Industries "EDEX 2021," with more than 400 exhibiting companies from 42 countries and in the presence of 40 defense ministers and military leaders.

Sisi toured the exhibition's pavilions, welcoming the participants, stressing that "the attendance is huge and reflects our ability to organize, and reflects the size and strength of the participating companies."

The President listened to an explanation about the advanced equipment of the Egyptian military engineers, designed in cooperation between the Military Technical College and the Department of Technical Research and Development at the Military Production Factories, as part of the strategy to develop the electronic systems industry.

He also visited the Armed Forces Engineering Industries Complex, which consists of 12 vehicles.

The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the 300 Military Factory reviewed some of the factory's weaponry products, including the "Egyptian multi-purpose machine gun."

He also witnessed a presentation of the first Egyptian-made drone, produced by the Arab Organization for Industrialization.

Egypt's Minister of Defense and Military Production, Mohamed Zaki, said that EDEX aims to create a distinguished military gathering where experience exchange is made possible.

He affirmed that the Egyptian Army is the nation's shield in the face of conflicts disrupting the world, noting that Egypt's pursuit of power aims to preserve its security and safety in a world driven by conflicts.

Lieutenant-General Zaki expressed his aspiration that the exhibition would be a platform for exchanging experiences, ideas, and visions.

EDEX 2021 kicked off on Monday at the Egypt International Exhibition Center in New Cairo. It continues until December 2 .

The exhibition is the largest defense event in Egypt and Africa and is considered the first international defense exhibition in Egypt. It presents the latest technologies of air, land, and sea weapons.

The first edition of the exhibition was held in 2018. It was scheduled to be held every two years, but it was postponed following the global outbreak of the coronavirus.

More than 400 exhibitors from 42 countries took part in this year’s exhibition to display the latest technologies in defense and armaments.

Official delegations of dignitaries from 45 countries, military delegations, and more than 30,000 visitors have also participated in the exhibition.



Lebanese Army Deploys South as Israel Withdraws from Border Villages

Civil Defense teams in Tyre are returning the bodies of those killed during the war for their final burial (Reuters)
Civil Defense teams in Tyre are returning the bodies of those killed during the war for their final burial (Reuters)
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Lebanese Army Deploys South as Israel Withdraws from Border Villages

Civil Defense teams in Tyre are returning the bodies of those killed during the war for their final burial (Reuters)
Civil Defense teams in Tyre are returning the bodies of those killed during the war for their final burial (Reuters)

Tensions remain high on Lebanon's southern border, with Israel continuing to violate the ceasefire daily. Efforts are underway, both within Lebanon and internationally, to prevent another war.

Meanwhile, the Lebanese Army is completing its deployment in the south as Israeli forces pull out of villages they had entered.

Lebanese officials are hopeful for calm and expect all parties to stick to the agreement. The monitoring committee is set to begin its work soon, with the French general arriving on Wednesday, following the American general who will lead the committee.

Their first meeting will be on Thursday, according to military sources.

As Israel began pulling out its troops and equipment from villages in southern Lebanon, Lebanon’s National News Agency reported on Tuesday that the Lebanese Army had stepped up its presence in Tyre and nearby areas to ensure security.

This marks the start of the Army’s redeployment in the south, especially in border villages.

The Lebanese Army also announced it is recruiting volunteers to strengthen its forces in the south and help implement UN Security Council Resolution 1701 after the ceasefire.

The ceasefire agreement calls for a 60-day truce, during which Israel is expected to withdraw from the southern villages. Hezbollah is required to end its armed presence south of the Litani River, where 10,000 Lebanese soldiers and UN peacekeepers (UNIFIL) will be deployed.

Tensions, however, eased on Tuesday along Lebanon's southern border after a sharp escalation between Hezbollah and Israel on Monday evening.

Nevertheless, Israeli violations continued, with over 80 breaches recorded by the Lebanese Army in the past week.

On Tuesday, Israeli shelling killed a civilian in Shebaa, with the National News Agency reporting the man was struck by a missile from an Israeli drone.

An artillery shell also hit the Marjayoun Plain, and an Israeli Merkava tank crossed into the area near the border between Deir Mimas, Burj al-Mulouk, and Kfarkila in the south, stopping 200 meters from a Lebanese Army checkpoint.

Hezbollah's Al-Manar TV reported a convoy of 15 Israeli vehicles moved from the Wazzani border area toward Wadi al-Khayam, with part of the convoy heading towards the eastern part of Khiam. This followed reports that Israeli vehicles had withdrawn from eastern Khiam on Monday.

Israel also launched airstrikes on the town of Bayt Lifa in southern Lebanon and fired machine guns at Majdal Zoun.

In response, the Israeli military said it targeted a terrorist cell in the Bekaa Valley.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned on Monday that Israel might push deeper into Lebanon and no longer differentiate between the Lebanese state and Hezbollah if the ceasefire breaks down.

Katz stated, “If the ceasefire collapses, Lebanon will have no immunity,” adding that Israel would act with greater force if the war resumes.