Egypt s President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi called on Saturday on African countries to exert efforts to achieve the aspirations of the continent s nations towards prosperity and stablity. In a televised speech as part of the AU s celebration of Africa Day, El-Sisi asked the continent’s countries to maintain their unity in order to accomplish the dream of their founding fathers of a thriving continent. Saturday marks 56 years since the foundation of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) in 1963, which was established in Ethiopia’s Addis Ababa. The OAU was replaced by the African Union in 2002. El-Sisi is chairing the African Union this year; Egypt has pledged to focus on issues of peace and security during its chairing of the body, and to tackle reconstruction and development in post-conflict zones. “We have to strive towards developing our human resources and rehabilitate the youth of the continent to keep pace with the developments of the era and fulfil their missions in leading the future of Africa,” El-Sisi said. He cited the importance of a continued boost for the role of African women as a “beating heart” for societies and a guiding light to transform them economically, calling also for a boosting of cultural ties between nations as a consolidation of African identity and to raise the principles of African solidarity. El-Sisi also mentioned the continent’s drive to achieve sustainable development through an ambitious plan, Agenda 2063. “Day by day, our joint efforts become more effective to find resolutions for conflicts and problems faced by our nations for decades, which has precluded accomplishing the dreams of nations,” he said.

Yasser Al-Sherif, a 36-year-old fabric dealer, had driven from Nasr City with his brother and nephew especially to see the Tahya Masr Bridge. “It makes me proud,” he told Al-Ahram Weekly between snapping photographs. President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi inaugurated several projects last week, including the Rod Al-Farag Axis and the Tahya Masr suspension bridge. The state-owned Arab Contractors Company began work on the 17.2km axis in 2016 under the supervision of the Armed Forces Engineering Authority. It comprises five bridges, including Tahya Masr, a 540m long 67.36m wide suspension bridge. Major General Ihab Al-Far, head of the Armed Forces Engineering Authority, said the total cost of the inaugurated projects was LE170 billion, and if they were to be constructed today they would be twice as expensive. In addition to Rod Al-Farag Axis the projects include the Martyr Ahmed Hafez Shousha Bridge, built by Al-Saada Group LLC, and Martyr Ahmed Abul-Naga Bridge built by Al-Salam International for Construction and Trade. Al-Sisi also opened the extension of the Moshir Tantawi Axis, built by the Military Engineering Department east of Cairo, and the Al-Shahid Axis, built by Orascom Construction. “Egypt is working to complete public projects in the shortest possible time to save money,” said Al-Sisi. The Rod Al-Farag Axis was not due to be inaugurated for a couple of months but was finished ahead of schedule. “Since we were commissioned to construct the Rod Al-Farag Axis in 2016 we have been working around the clock, not even stopping for public holidays,” Arab Contractors Chairman Mohamed Mohsen Salah said during a press conference attended by Al-Sisi. Up to 4,000 engineers, technicians and labourers worked on the axis. “We are celebrating the completion of the project, the achievement of 4,000 engineers, technicians and young workers who used the most modern equipment and machinery to build this bridge,” said Salah. Tahya Masr Bridge includes pedestrian walkways on either side, partly fitted with skywalks made of reinforced glass. The skywalks are the first in the Middle East. The skywalk has made the bridge into “a new touristic destination, maximising the benefit of the axis and not limiting it to transportation,” said Salah.

Egyptian and French naval forces carried out on Tuesday a maritime training exercise in the Mediterranean Sea, the Egyptian Armed Forces said in a statement. The drill saw the participation of French frigate SURCOUF and units from the Egyptian navy. The training comes within the framework of the Egyptian Armed Forces efforts to bolster military relations with different countries. The training included maritime activities on how to apply sailing formations, counter hostile targets and repel non-traditional threats, as well as carrying out inspection of vessels.

Egypt’s President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi has called on his government to overcome any obstacles which could face US firm Noble Energy as it carries out oil and gas exploration in the country. In a statement on Monday, El-Sisi’s spokesman Bassam Rady said the president had met with David Stover, the CEO of the company, and that they had discussed ways to develop the firm’s activities in Egypt. Stover praised Egypt’s aspirational vision to accomplish comprehensive economic development, stressing that Egypt tops his company’s list of countries in which it may invest more. He added that the energy sector enjoys promising opportunities, in light of Egypt’s possession of the necessary infrastructure to boost the sector. He also hailed regional cooperation projects to link and transfer gas, according to Rady’s statement. For his part, the president pointed to the cooperative relationship and special strategic partnership between the US and Egypt, expressing his wish to strengthen the relationship to contribute in achieving joint developmental goals.

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi discussed on Sunday boosting mutual cooperation with Canada during talks with visiting Canadian Senate Speaker George Furey. During the meeting, El-Sisi discussed Egypt’s efforts to counter terrorism and extremism and reform religious discourse, Egyptian presidency spokesman Bassam Rady said. El-Sisi said he is looking for Canada’s support for Egypt’s economic and social reform programme. He also expressed appreciation for what he said is the good treatment Egyptians receive in Canada, saying this has helped them succeed and effectively fit into society there, the spokesman added. He highlighted that his administration gives special focus to women’s empowerment, referring to the recent constitution amendments that allocate at least 25 percent of the parliament’s seats to women. Earlier in the day, Furey held bilateral talks with Egyptian parliament speaker Aly Abde-Aal to discuss strengthening parliamentary ties between the two nations.

Egypt’s President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi on Saturday received Saudi Ambassador to Egypt Osama al-Nugali, who conveyed greetings from King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman. According to a statement from El-Sisi’s spokesman Bassam Rady, Ambassador al-Nugali also passed on an invitation to President El-Sisi from King Salman to attend the 14th summit of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, due to be held at the end of the month in Mecca. The Saudi ambassador also expressed the kingdom s deepest appreciation for the strong and supportive stance of Egypt in condemning the recent attacks by explosive-laden drones on two oil pumping stations in Saudi Arabia last week. El-Sisi conveyed his greetings to the king and the crown prince, emphasising Egypt s solidarity with the Saudi government and people in confronting all attempts at undermining the security and stability of the kingdom and the security of the Arab Gulf in general. The president added that the current common challenges dictate the necessity of close coordination between the two countries in order to confront all threats to Arab national security and regional stability, stressing the fraternal ties between Egypt and Saudi Arabia.

Egypt s President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi discussed in Cairo with Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan the recent developments in the Gulf region, particularly with regards to the sabotage of naval vessels earlier this week, the Egyptian presidency announced. El-Sisi and Bin Zayed also discussed the attack on Saudi oil stations, for which Iranian-backed Yemeni Houthi rebels claimed responsibility. "During the talks, President El-Sisi expressed Egypt s full solidarity and support with the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia to face all attempts to destabilise the two countries," the statement read. The Egyptian president asserted that Egypt considers the national security of the Arab Gulf region part of its own security. Bin Zayed asserted the importance of coordination and consultation as well as exchanging points of view between the Arab countries, which face challenges including interference in their internal affairs. He also praised Egypt s vital role as a cornerstone of stability and security in the region. El-Sisi and Bin Zayed also discussed other developments in the Middle East as well as Egyptian-Emirati bilateral relations. Bin Zayed arrived in Cairo on Wednesday. He last visited Egypt in March.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi on Wednesday inaugurated mega road Rod El-Farag and the world s widest causeway easing traffic congestion in the capital Cairo and linking it to the country s far north. The 600-kilometre road connects the east and west of the capital with the Cairo-Alexandria desert road, partly running over the River Nile. The Road links the Mediterranean to the Red Sea, starting in Zafarana city, and running to Cairo and all the way to the northwest Mediterranean city of Marsa Matrouh.

Egypt s President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi has issued orders to swiftly implement a new solid waste management system, especially in highly populated areas, according to presidential spokesman Bassam Rady. In a meeting with Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and a number of other ministers on Monday, El-Sisi said that the ministries and the bodies concerned should continue to coordinate to guarantee the success of the new solid waste management system. The president further stressed the importance of using accurate scientific studies and benefiting from foreign expertise in this area. El-Sisi also hailed youth initiatives implemented within the framework of the national campaign to improve the sanitation system. During the meeting, Environment Minister Yasmine Fouad reviewed the executive plan to implement the new solid waste management system. The ministers also briefed the president on the benefits of the new system, which include curbing air and water pollution as well as creating new job opportunities.

Egypt stated on Sunday evening its strong condemnation of the sabotage of four vessels near the territorial waters of the United Arab Emirates, according to a statement issued by the Egyptian foreign ministry. "Egypt also condemns all acts that would harm the Emirati national security of the Emirati national security and the safety of its land and maritime borders" the statement read. The statement stressed on the solidarity of the Egyptian government and people with the people and government of the botherly UAE against all challenges it might face as well as confronting all attempts to destabilise the UAE," the statement added. The Egyptian foreign ministry highlighted the strong and special relations between Egypt and UAE, stressing the two countries joint work to face all threats against both countries national security, and taking all procedures necessary to maintain the security, stability and welfare of the people of the Emirates, the statement added. Earlier Sunday, the UAE reported that four commercial vessels were subjected to sabotage in the Gulf of Oman near its territorial waters just outside the strait of Hormuz.

Egypt s Military Production Minister Mohamed El-Assar on Saturday met with Sergio Fiorani, chairman of the Italian Unical company, and his accompanying delegation, to discuss promoting cooperation between the two countries. The meeting dealt with the human, technical, technological and production capabilities of the Ministry of Military Production s affiliated companies.

Egypt s annual urban consumer price inflation eased to 13.0 percent in April from 14.2 percent in March, official statistics agency CAPMAS said on Thursday. “The figures are lower than our expectations,” said Radwa El-Swaify, head of research at Pharos Securities Brokerage.

Egypt s economy is expected to grow at 5.8 percent in the fourth quarter of the 2018/19 financial year, the Planning Minister Hala El-Saeed said in a statement on Wednesday. The country registered economic growth estimated at 5.6 percent in third quarter of 2018-19, compared to 5.4 percent the year before, the statement said.

Egypt expects, in principle, to receive the final tranche of about $2 billion of its IMF loan in July, Deputy Finance Minister Ahmed Kouchouk said on Tuesday. The International Monetary Fund offered the three-year $12 billion loan programme in 2016 after Cairo agreed to a reform package including a steep devaluation of the pound, deep cuts to energy subsidies and the introduction of a value-added tax.

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi met with the head of the World Bank Group David Malpass in Cairo on Saturday, and discussed with him the importance of continuing the implementation of the cooperation programme between Egypt and the group. The meeting was attended by the Minister of Investment and International Cooperation Sahar Nasr, Minister of Finance Mohamed Maait and the Egypt s head of intelligence service Abbas Kamel, according to a statement by El-Sisi s spokesman Bassam Rady.

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi has said that all companies working on the country s national development projects are civilian and that the military s role is only supervisory, addressing a recent topic of debate about the army s involvement in the economy. "The role of the army in such projects, if any, is a supervisory and management role," El-Sisi said Sunday in comments broadcast live on TV.

Egypt received its third Type 209/1400 submarine from Germany at a ceremony in the German city of Kiel on Friday. The commander of the Egyptian navy Ahmed Khalid raised the Egyptian flag on the submarine, S43, in the ceremony that broadcast on Egyptian state television.

Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi visited China on Wednesday to attend the Belt and Road forum for international cooperation in Beijing, which witnessed the participation of several presidents and prime ministers. The presidency’s spokesperson Bassam Radi said that the Egyptian government was keen on engaging the Belt and Road initiative, which will turn Egypt into a pivotal partner to China.

Egypt’s housing minister Asem al-Gazzar and several Chinese Banks signed an agreement worth US$834 million in Beijing on Monday to establish a central business park in the New Administrative Capital. Gazzar stated that the park would include seven skyscrapers, including two administrative towers and five residential towers at a height of 206 meters on a building area of 600,000 square meters.

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi is heading on Wednesday to the Chinese capital Beijing at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping to attend the Belt and Road summit, which is being attending by a number of heads of state, a statement by Egypt s presidential spokesperson said. The second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation will see the participation of around 40 world leaders, as well as representatives from 100 countries.