logo

OPEN// Army remains capable of confronting any challenges

Middle East27-04-2025

CAIRO, April 27 (MENA) - The October War reshaped the history of the Egyptian military through the sacrifices and blood of the Armed Forces' heroes, Armed Forces Spokesperson Brigadier Gharib Abdel Hafez said on Sunday, describing Sinai Liberation Day as a lasting source of pride in the history and consciousness of the Egyptian people and their Armed Forces.
In a statement marking the 43rd anniversary of the liberation of Sinai, the spokesperson affirmed that the Armed Forces remain capable of confronting any challenges, thanks to the strength and unity of the people and their alignment behind the political leadership.
He underlined the General Command's commitment to implementing a comprehensive development strategy, starting with maximizing the value of the individual combatant as the cornerstone of building a strong national army, keeping pace with rapid developments in combat systems and methods, diversifying sources of armament, and acquiring the latest scientific, technological and military advancements to bolster combat capabilities.
The spokesperson highlighted the vital role played by law enforcement forces, alongside the Armed Forces, in eliminating terrorism, one of the most significant threats to Egypt's national security in recent years.
He also emphasized the Armed Forces' contribution to supporting the state's comprehensive development efforts in the Sinai Peninsula and improving the living and social conditions of its residents.
In light of growing military partnerships and cooperation with sisterly and friendly nations, the spokesperson stressed the Armed Forces' focus on combat training and raising readiness of personnel through joint exercises that aim to exchange expertise, enhance the skills of participating forces, and strengthen their ability to execute missions across various theaters of operations according to carefully crafted plans.
Believing in the importance of responsible national media, the military spokesperson affirmed that the Armed Forces are committed to maintaining continuous communication with all media outlets, promptly responding to inquiries, debunking rumors, and ensuring that the public is provided with accurate and verified information. (MENA)
M S H/R E E

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Interior Min. Participates with Citizens in Celebrating Eid al-Adha
Interior Min. Participates with Citizens in Celebrating Eid al-Adha

See - Sada Elbalad

time3 hours ago

  • See - Sada Elbalad

Interior Min. Participates with Citizens in Celebrating Eid al-Adha

Taarek Refaat Police officers from various security directorates joined citizens in celebrating Eid al-Adha, taking to the streets and squares to offer their congratulations and distribute flowers to passersby and motorists. This comes within the framework of the Ministry of Interior's strategy, one of whose main pillars is to activate the societal role of all security sectors and engage citizens in celebrating various occasions. This contributes to deepening the bonds of trust and strengthening the connection between police officers and citizens. The Ministry of Interior held Eid al-Adha prayers at correctional and rehabilitation centers for inmates. The events were attended by a number of Islamic and Christian clerics who joined the celebrations and congratulated the inmates, expressing the solidarity and connection among the Egyptian people. ِAlso, the Community Protection Sector convened committees to review the files of inmates nationwide to determine those eligible for pardon for the remainder of their sentences. The committees concluded that the decision was applicable to 2,215 inmates eligible for pardon. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Sports Neymar Announced for Brazil's Preliminary List for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers News Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies Arts & Culture New Archaeological Discovery from 26th Dynasty Uncovered in Karnak Temple Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks News Shell Unveils Cost-Cutting, LNG Growth Plan

How Egypt is managing energy deficit in a sweltering summer? - Energy
How Egypt is managing energy deficit in a sweltering summer? - Energy

Al-Ahram Weekly

time6 hours ago

  • Al-Ahram Weekly

How Egypt is managing energy deficit in a sweltering summer? - Energy

As soaring summer temperatures put unprecedented strain on Egypt's power grid, the country grapples with a widening chasm between natural gas production and consumption. With daily output declining and demand surging, particularly for electricity generation, energy security has emerged as a critical national concern. While some reports warn of a looming crisis, new developments suggest Egypt is not passively enduring the pressure. Instead, the government is pursuing a multi-pronged approach: importing liquefied natural gas (LNG), reactivating emergency fuel sources such as mazut, negotiating with key partners like Israel, and accelerating long-term investments in renewable energy and international contracts. Egypt faces an apparent shortfall in its natural gas balance, with daily production dropping to around 4.5 billion cubic feet, against consumption of approximately 6 billion. This discrepancy places the system under increasing strain, particularly during peak summer demand. Speaking to Ahram Online, Gamal Al-Qalyoubi, Professor of Petroleum and Energy Engineering, clarified that 'the actual rate of gas production decline does not exceed 1.7 billion cubic feet per day,' stressing that the frequently cited 3 billion cubic feet gap is 'exaggerated and not an accurate reflection of reality.' Alternative plans to secure supplies To address the shortfall, the government activated an emergency plan that includes bringing in three LNG regasification vessels and a ship docked at Aqaba Port, which will be shared alternately between Egypt and Jordan. However, Medhat Youssef, former Vice President of the Petroleum Authority, believes the crisis is 'not fully resolved yet, as the fourth vessel has not arrived, and one ship has not been operating at full capacity, leading to power outages during the heatwave, particularly in rural areas.' Despite these challenges, the national electricity grid has not collapsed and has largely maintained performance under record loads. Al-Qalyoubi affirms: 'What occurred should not be considered scheduled outages, but rather limited technical failures due to the heatwave,' adding that outages in some areas did not exceed 15 minutes and praising the grid's ability to handle a daily load of 40,000 megawatts. Fuel oil returns—at a cost During periods of peak demand, the government resorts to using fuel oil (mazut) as an alternative for electricity generation. Youssef notes that this policy is not new: Egypt previously earned around $8.5 billion from gas exports by substituting gas with mazut for domestic use, capitalising on the significant price difference ($50 for exported gas versus $16 for imported mazut). Official sources report a temporary halt in gas supplies from Israel, attributed to maintenance at the Leviathan and Tamar fields. However, the implications are broader, touching on market balance and trade agreements. Al-Qalyoubi comments: 'The Egyptian market remains the primary strategic partner for Israeli gas, receiving 800 million cubic feet per day, compared to just 250 million for the Jordanian market. Any talk of price changes is technically illogical, since the contracts are binding.' Youssef, however, believes that 'the agreements may grant Israel some flexibility to renegotiate prices if Egypt increases its demand—a natural occurrence in any market.' Zohr field decline: natural, not technical The sharp decline in production from the Zohr field is a key factor in the current crisis, with output falling from 3.8 to 1.8 billion cubic feet per day. Al-Qalyoubi explains: 'The decline is due to reduced fertility of geological layers—a natural development in any field's lifecycle, not a technical failure.' He pointed to intensified exploration efforts in promising areas such as the Red Sea and the western Mediterranean, with major companies like Chevron and ExxonMobil expected to enter in 2025. Long-term contracts as a strategic hedge In light of global gas market volatility, Egypt has moved toward signing long-term import contracts with countries including Qatar, Russia, and Algeria. These agreements offer greater security in supply and pricing. Al-Qalyoubi states: 'For the first time, Egypt is adopting this type of contract, which is a highly important step that spares us from emergency tenders and negotiating under pressure.' He adds that flexible financing mechanisms are in place to reduce strain on the national budget. Youssef commends this approach: 'Major countries like China and Japan follow the same model. Extended contracts protect against price fluctuations and enhance market stability.' Despite the advantages, the state faces real challenges securing liquidity to fund imports, particularly amid rising global interest rates. Youssef reveals: 'The government is currently deferring payment for some shipments. This provides temporary flexibility but increases financial burdens in the long term.' Renewables: a long-term hope Egypt plans to expand its renewable energy portfolio, focusing particularly on wind and solar, to reduce its reliance on natural gas for electricity. Al-Qalyoubi affirms: 'The goal is to produce 28,000 megawatts from wind and 11,000 from solar within four years, reserving gas for industrial use instead of burning it for power generation.' Youssef, however, remains cautious: 'Renewables currently account for no more than 10 percent of our needs, while gas covers roughly 90 percent of the power mix. Even after nuclear plants come online, gas will remain the primary source for years to come.' Transitional strain, not total crisis Despite the pressure of summer demand and declining production, both experts agree that Egypt is not on the brink of collapse, but is navigating a transitional phase requiring swift exploration, expanded contracts, and precise demand management. 'We are not living through a sudden energy crisis, but a transitional period being managed with realistic plans,' concludes Al-Qalyoubi. Youssef adds: 'Energy security can only be achieved through a mix of production, imports, and smart financial hedging.' Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:

OPEN//First Lady greets Egyptians, Arab, Islamic nations on Eid Al-Adha
OPEN//First Lady greets Egyptians, Arab, Islamic nations on Eid Al-Adha

Middle East

time8 hours ago

  • Middle East

OPEN//First Lady greets Egyptians, Arab, Islamic nations on Eid Al-Adha

CAIRO, June 6 (MENA) - First Lady Intisar El Sisi greeted on Friday the Egyptian people and Arab and Islamic nations on Eid Al-Adha. "On these blessed days, it gives me pleasure to extend my heartfelt greetings to our honorable people, as well as to the Arab and Islamic nations, on the occasion of Eid Al-Adha. I pray to Allah the Almighty to return this blessed occasion to us all with good health and tranquility, and to bring hope and prosperity to every home" she tweeted on her social media accounts. "May Allah the Almighty accept our righteous deeds and fill your days with joy, granting you peace and security in all your celebrations", she added. (MENA) M O H

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store