OPEN// Cabinet denies PM's intervention in raising land price to UAE investor
In a statement on Thursday, Homsany firmly denied reports alleging that Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli intervened to raise the price of a plot of land that Emirati businessman Khalaf Al Habtoor intended to purchase in Egypt's North Coast from $10 million to $30 million.
He clarified that inquiries were made with all government authorities holding jurisdiction over North Coast lands, and they all confirmed that they had not received any requests from Al Habtoor to acquire land. "This claim is entirely baseless and fabricated. Even if the businessman intended to purchase land from private citizens, why would the Prime Minister interfere to set a price?' El Homsany added.
He stressed the rules governing land acquisition for investment, whether in the North Coast or elsewhere, are clearly defined by the relevant authorities and are not subject to any interference by officials.
For his part, Khalaf Al Habtoor responded in a post on his X account, saying: "I followed with interest the statement issued by the Egyptian Cabinet regarding what was published about a plot of land in the North Coast offered to me for purchase. Unfortunately, what was relayed to me was exactly as I stated in my interview. We thank the Cabinet for this clarification," Habtoor said.
"I am pleased to see the Egyptian State's keenness to transparently clarify facts, which reflects the strength of institutions and the clarity of laws and mechanisms in Egypt. I reaffirm my enduring affection and appreciation for Egypt and its people, and my belief in the positive prospects for cooperation and investment between us, built on mutual respect, transparency, and trust," he added.
"Today's clarification sends a positive message that further strengthens my confidence that Egypt was a nation of institutions and committed to providing a fair, transparent, and open investment climate. I reiterate my thanks and wish Egypt continued success and progress under its wise leadership," the Emirati investor concluded. (MENA)
M S H/M R E
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Al-Ahram Weekly
34 minutes ago
- Al-Ahram Weekly
No regional stability without Palestinian state: Egypt FM to The Elders - Foreign Affairs
Minister of Foreign Affairs Badr Abdelatty stressed Sunday that there can be no security or stability in the region without the realisation of the Palestinian state, during a meeting with a delegation from The Elders group in Cairo. According to the Egyptian foreign ministry, the group's delegation included former Irish president Mary Robinson and former New Zealand prime minister Helen Clark. The meeting addressed the deteriorating situation and the humanitarian catastrophe in the Gaza Strip as a result of the nearly two-year brutal Israeli aggression on the Strip. The attendees also drew attention to Israel's use of starvation as a weapon, where the Egyptian FM referred to the ongoing war of extermination against the Palestinian people. He also pointed to Israel's attempts to entrench its illegal occupation of Palestinian territories and undermine the Palestinian people's right to self-determination, in flagrant violation of international law and international humanitarian law. During the meeting, the Egyptian FM stressed Cairo's full rejection of the displacement of Palestinians from their land and the liquidation of the Palestinian cause. Additionally, Abdelatty reviewed Egypt's efforts to reach a ceasefire in Gaza, affirming Egypt's intention to host an international conference for early recovery and reconstruction in the Gaza Strip once an agreement is reached. He further stressed the importance of advancing recognition of the Palestinian state and implementing the two-state solution to meet the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people, foremost among them the establishment of their independent state. On Friday, Israel's political-security cabinet approved a plan to take control of Gaza City, a move expanding military operations despite growing pressure over its deadly war on Gaza. Israel's decision has sparked widespread global condemnation, with numerous countries and global organisations warning that such a move violates international law, undermines peace prospects, and exacerbates the already dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza. In a statement, the Egyptian foreign ministry strongly condemned the Israeli cabinet's decision, stressing that Israel's lawless and arrogant policies seek to impose a fait accompli by force and eliminate the viability of the two-state solution. Founded in 2007 by former South African president Nelson Mandela, The Elders is an independent group of global leaders working together to promote international peace and justice. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Daily News Egypt
2 hours ago
- Daily News Egypt
Military production minister discusses cooperation with Japan in key manufacturing sectors
Mohamed Salah El-Din, Egypt's Minister of State for Military Production, recently met with Oka Fumio, Japan's Ambassador to Cairo, along with his accompanying delegation, to discuss the progress and prospects of industrial and technological cooperation between Egypt and Japan. The meeting focused on ways to leverage global expertise and localize advanced technologies in Egypt's manufacturing sector, aligning with Egypt's long-term sustainable development goals. Salah El-Din emphasized that the Ministry of Military Production, which is home to numerous companies and units, has the capacity for high-quality manufacturing, technological, and technical innovations. The Minister reaffirmed the Ministry's strong commitment to strengthening cooperation with Japan in the manufacturing sector, particularly in incorporating cutting-edge Japanese technologies into local industries. This approach, he explained, is vital for responding to the current global changes that demand a greater reliance on local production capabilities. Salah El-Din shared the successful history of collaboration between the Ministry of Military Production and Japan, including a notable partnership with Mizuha Company to develop a water extraction device. The device, which extracts water from the air, is produced by Helwan Company for Metallic Appliances (Factory 360 Military). After more than a year of development, the device now boasts a local component rate exceeding 70% and has passed rigorous climate testing. It has also been proven to meet drinking water standards as set by Egypt's Ministry of Health and Population. He also stressed that the Ministry is open to further cooperation with both Egyptian and international private sector companies to enhance existing product lines and develop new technologies. The Minister highlighted the strategic importance of combining Japan's advanced technologies with Egypt's manufacturing, human, and technical expertise, aiming to bolster national production capacity and improve the quality of local industries. This collaboration supports Egypt's broader goals for sustainable industrial development. Ambassador Oka Fumio expressed Japan's dedication to enhancing the longstanding partnership between the two countries. He emphasized Japan's continued commitment to supporting joint projects that reflect both countries' ambitions for mutual success. The Ambassador praised the Ministry of Military Production for its pivotal role in Egypt's military manufacturing sector, noting that its surplus production capacity is being increasingly utilized for civilian manufacturing and export purposes. Fumio reiterated Japan's willingness to collaborate closely with the Ministry and other stakeholders to overcome any challenges and strengthen bilateral economic and trade relations. He also expressed optimism about the growing economic ties between the two countries and stated his intent to invite Japanese investors to explore the Ministry's manufacturing capabilities for future joint ventures.
Al-Ahram Weekly
2 hours ago
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Arab League Council condemns Israel's plans to take full military control of Gaza - War on Gaza
It also condemned Israel's plans to displace Palestinians from Gaza and the occupation's crimes of aggression and ethnic cleansing against Palestinians in the West Bank, including Jerusalem. The Council affirmed that these crimes constitute a violation of international law and conventions, a blatant aggression against all Arab states, their national security, and their political and economic interests, and a threat to security, peace, and stability in the region. This condemnation came as part of a resolution issued by the extraordinary session of the Council of the League of Arab States at the level of permanent representatives. The session was held under the chairmanship of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan at the request of the State of Palestine and with the support of member states. It discussed mechanisms for Arab and international action to stop the genocide that Israel, as the occupying power, commits against the Palestinian people. The Arab League Council reiterated its support for the ongoing efforts of the joint Egyptian-Qatari mediation to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza. The Council also renewed its call to protect the Palestinian people from genocide, displacement, and ethnic cleansing. It stressed preventing the liquidation of the Palestinian cause, the Arabs' central cause, following international legitimacy resolutions, international law, and relevant international and regional agreements, including the Treaty on Joint Defence and Economic Cooperation among the Arab League States. The Council affirmed implementing the decisions of the Arab Summits and the joint Arab and Islamic Summits to break the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip and impose the entry of sufficient humanitarian relief convoys to the entire Gaza Strip, by land, sea, and air, in cooperation and coordination with the United Nations and its specialised agencies, including UNRWA. It condemned Israel's use of starvation as a weapon of genocide, which led to the killing of 200 Palestinian civilians, half of whom were children. Furthermore, the Council condemned the Israeli occupation forces' death traps for Palestinians under the so-called "Gaza Humanitarian Foundation," resulting in 1,500 martyrs and thousands of wounded. It affirmed Israel's complete responsibility for its blockade of the Gaza Strip and held it accountable for its consequences. The Council pointed out the need to enable the State of Palestine to assume full governance responsibilities in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. It stressed that governance of Gaza and the West Bank will receive Arab and international support to ensure the unity of law, order, and arms, and will proceed according to a political programme set by the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO), the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people. The Council called on the two Arab members of the Security Council (Algeria and Somalia) and the Arab Group in New York to continue their commendable efforts to halt the Israeli aggression against the Gaza Strip and the rest of the occupied Palestinian territory. It requested them to submit a draft resolution to the Security Council under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter that would compel Israel, the occupying power, to cease fire, allow adequate and unconditional relief aid into the entire Gaza Strip, end the occupation, and comply with relevant Security Council resolutions. The Council also called for imposing international sanctions on Israel and considered its crimes and practices a threat to regional and global peace and security. Moreover, the Council called on all states to implement legal and administrative measures, including preventing the export, transfer, or transit of weapons, ammunition, and military materials to Israel. It also called for reviewing economic relations with it and conducting national and international investigations and prosecutions of Israeli officials responsible for crimes against the Palestinian people. The Arab League Council further urged civil society and human rights organisations to pursue all those involved in Israel's aggressive war crimes and hold them accountable. In addition, the Council called on the United States to use its enormous influence on Israel to pressure it to halt its aggression and crimes against the Palestinian people, including genocide, starvation, and displacement, and end its illegal occupation. It stressed the need to implement the outcomes of the High-Level Conference on the Peaceful Settlement of the Palestinian Issue and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, held in New York under the chairmanship of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Republic of France. The conference's final statement included urgent executive measures within a timetable to end the war in Gaza and to commit to a political process for a comprehensive, peaceful settlement of the Palestinian issue and the implementation of the two-state solution. The Arab League Council also noted the need to boycott companies that contribute to strengthening the Israeli occupation's economy in its genocide and ethnic cleansing of the Palestinians. It highlighted the companies that were mentioned in the reports of the Human Rights Council and the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories. Furthermore, the Council stressed the importance of implementing Security Council Resolutions 2735, 2712, and 2720 on the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, the return of displaced persons to their homes, the safe and effective distribution of humanitarian aid on a large scale, the exchange of prisoners and hostages, and the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. It emphasised that the inhumane ideas and decisions of the Israeli occupation reaffirm that they do not recognise the historical and legal attachment of the Palestinian people to this land and their right to it based on international law and humanitarian principles. The Council requested the General Secretariat to prepare a legal study on the consequences and effects of the Israeli occupation's decision and the violations it constitutes of international conventions and treaties. It emphasised the need to implement all outcomes of the Extraordinary Palestine Summit held in Cairo on 4 March 2025, particularly the need to work immediately to implement the Arab-Islamic plan for reconstruction and early recovery in Gaza. In addition, the Council invited all countries and active parties to participate in the reconstruction conference, which will be held soon in Cairo. It welcomed the international positions and statements rejecting the Israeli decision to impose complete military control over the Gaza Strip and the occupation's measures and policies to annexe the West Bank. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
