Egyptian President Lauds Efforts of Armed Forces

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi during his meeting with members of the Armed Forces (Egyptian Presidency)
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi during his meeting with members of the Armed Forces (Egyptian Presidency)
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Egyptian President Lauds Efforts of Armed Forces

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi during his meeting with members of the Armed Forces (Egyptian Presidency)
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi during his meeting with members of the Armed Forces (Egyptian Presidency)

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi lauded the Armed Forces' efforts in carrying out their missions with all dedication.

He confirmed that the Egyptian people appreciate the efforts and sacrifices of "the heroes of the Armed Forces in defense of Egypt's security and safety."

Sisi performed Friday prayers in al-Mushir Tantawy Mosque in Cairo and then met with several Armed Forces commanders on the occasion of the 10th of Ramadan War victory.

Sisi was accompanied by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli, Minister of Defense Mohamed Zaki, Egypt's Army Chief of Staff Osama Askar, and ministers of justice, Awqaf, interior, local development, and state for military production.

Cairo Governor Khaled Abdel Aal, Egypt's Mufti Shawqi Allam, Armed Forces commanders, officers, and soldiers also attended the prayers.

After the Friday prayers, Sisi met with the Armed Forces' commanders, extending his greetings to them on the 10th of Ramadan War victory. The President held talks with the commanders, tackling all local, regional and international developments and their impact on the region.

Earlier, the Minister of Defense said during the Egyptian Armed Forces' celebration that the anniversary of the tenth of Ramadan is a victory that embodied the heroism and sacrifices of the armed forces in recovering the land of Sinai.

He said they restored Egypt's pride and dignity and the Arab nation's glory and pride, stressing it will remain a great day in the history of the Egyptian military.

The Minister reiterated that the armed forces will always remain a strong protector of Egypt that defends its national security and preserves its sanctities and the integrity of its lands.



Syria Is at a Crossroads: It Can Return to Violence or Transition to Peace, Says UN Envoy 

A member of Syria's security forces mans a gun in the back of a truck during the funeral of three people killed in Israeli strikes a day earlier, in the southern town of Daraa on March 18, 2025. (AFP)
A member of Syria's security forces mans a gun in the back of a truck during the funeral of three people killed in Israeli strikes a day earlier, in the southern town of Daraa on March 18, 2025. (AFP)
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Syria Is at a Crossroads: It Can Return to Violence or Transition to Peace, Says UN Envoy 

A member of Syria's security forces mans a gun in the back of a truck during the funeral of three people killed in Israeli strikes a day earlier, in the southern town of Daraa on March 18, 2025. (AFP)
A member of Syria's security forces mans a gun in the back of a truck during the funeral of three people killed in Israeli strikes a day earlier, in the southern town of Daraa on March 18, 2025. (AFP)

Three months following the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad, Syria is at a crossroads, the top UN envoy for the country said Tuesday.

Geir Pedersen told the UN Security Council that Syria can return to violence or start an inclusive transition and end decades of conflict.

He said the road back to conflict, fragmentation and violations of Syrian sovereignty by external powers "must not come to pass." The other road, which would restore Syria’s sovereignty and regional security, is "viable," but "requires the right Syrian decisions" and international support, Pedersen said.

Syria’s civil war had gone on for 13 years when a lightning insurgency led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group (HTS) overthrew Assad in December, ending his family’s more than 50-year rule.

Former HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa was announced as the country’s interim president after a meeting of armed groups that took part in the offensive.

Pedersen spoke weeks after clashes between Sharaa's security forces and armed groups loyal to Assad - sparked by an ambush by regime remnants on the security forces - spiraled into sectarian revenge attacks that killed scores of civilians, most of them Alawites, a minority sect to which Assad belongs. It was the worst violence since December.

Pedersen told the council that while the situation was "comparatively calmed" after several days, the UN continues to receive reports "of harassment and intimidation, including with heavy sectarian overtones."

He said the interim authorities announced an independent investigation. Pedersen said he stressed that it must be transparent, in line with international standards, and its findings made public.

The UN special envoy, who will be returning to Damascus shortly, highlighted several priority areas for action and attention.

The latest violence, he said, "laid bare the urgent need for credible and efficient accountability for crimes" committed over decades.

He said the UN and the international community will be watching whether the soon-to-be-announced transitional government and transitional legislative council reflect Syria’s diversity and include both men and women.

Pedersen said his team was consulted on a temporary constitution and gave advice on international best practices and norms. "Some of this was taken on board, some was not," he said.

In mid-March, Sharaa signed a temporary constitution that promises to protect the rights of all Syrians for five years during a transitional phase.

"Some Syrians have commended the effort to fill the constitutional vacuum, and noted the incorporation of international human rights norms," Pedersen said. "But others have expressed reservations about the non-transparent process of its drafting and the substance itself — particularly a very strong presidency with unclear checks and balances between state powers and ambiguity regarding the transition steps."

Pedersen also cited other issues that demand action, including dealing with armed groups and foreign fighters, and reviving the economy.