Latest news with #AbdelFattahElSisi
Middle East
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Middle East
OPEN// President Sisi asserts Egypt's full commitment to preserving St. Catherine Monastery
CAIRO, May 30 (MENA) - President Abdel Fattah El Sisi affirmed Egypt's full commitment to preserving the unique and sacred religious status of Saint Catherine's Monastery in South Sinai and to ensuring that it is not violated. He noted that a recent judicial ruling in this regard reinforces this commitment and aligns with Egypt's utmost keenness on the sanctity of religious sites, as well as the cultural, spiritual, and religious significance of the monastery. That came in a telephone call President Sisi had received from Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Presidential Spokesman Mohamed el Shennawy stated that both sides reiterated their great interest in the big momentum in relations between the two friendly countries. They reaffirmed their commitment to further advancing strategic ties between the two countries in various fields, he added. (MENA) Y R E/M O H
Telegraph
16 hours ago
- General
- Telegraph
Egypt could close world's oldest Christian monastery
Egypt could close the oldest continuously functioning monastery in the world, prompting fury from Christians. St Catherine's, at the foot of Mount Sinai, was built by the order of the Byzantine emperor Justinian I between 548 and 565 and has operated as a religious community ever since. However, a court ruling in Cairo has sparked fears that the Orthodox institution will be forcibly turned into a museum and its approximately 20 monks evicted. According to the Egyptian press, the court ordered that ownership of the monastery's land be transferred to the Egyptian state. It has been reported that the decision was taken so the building could be converted into a museum. Less than a month ago, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, Egypt 's president, publicly reassured the Greek government that the monastery would continue. Late on Thursday, his office issued a statement pledging 'full commitment to preserving the unique and sacred religious status of Saint Catherine's Monastery and preventing its violation'. However, there is widespread concern in the Christian world that the court ruling will result in the forcible closure of the monastery and the eviction of the monks. Mount Sinai holds theological significance because it is reputed to be where God spoke to Moses through the burning bush, tasking him with leading the chosen people out of Egypt. It is also the reported location where the 10 Commandments were handed down to Moses. St Catherine's Basilica, with its intricate mosaics, is considered a treasure trove of Byzantine-era religious art. News of the court ruling prompted an impassioned protest from Ierenemos II, the Archbishop of Athens and All Greece. 'Following yesterday's scandalous ruling, a violent infringement of human rights and, more specifically, of religious freedoms by Egypt's judicial authorities, the world's oldest Orthodox Christian monument, the Monastery of Mount Sinai, is entering a period of great trial – one that evokes memories of darker times in history,' a statement read. 'I unequivocally condemn any attempt to alter the longstanding status that has prevailed in this region for fifteen centuries. I call upon the responsible Greek government – and personally upon prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis [of Greece] – to take immediate and appropriate action to restore lawful order and ensure that the Holy Monastery is not effectively abolished.' Meanwhile, Greek government sources said they would attempt to work with the Egyptian authorities to hold the country to the commitments given by President Sisi during his visit to Greece on May 7. A spokesman for Mr Sisi's office said: 'The Presidency affirms that the recent court ruling consolidates this status, aligning with the points President El-Sisi emphasised during his recent visit to Athens on May 7. 'The Presidency also affirms the importance of preserving the close and fraternal relations that bind the two countries and peoples and ensuring that they are not jeopardised.'
LBCI
2 days ago
- Business
- LBCI
President Aoun highlights joint efforts with Egypt to boost bilateral ties across sectors
President Joseph Aoun met with Telecommunications Minister Charles Hajj to discuss the ministry's work program and ongoing projects, including cooperation with Starlink. Speaking to a delegation from the Egyptian-Lebanese Businessmen's Friendship Association, Aoun said: 'Your role is essential in strengthening Lebanese-Egyptian relations. I have agreed with President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi on several measures that reflect our shared desire to enhance these ties across various fields.'
The National
2 days ago
- General
- The National
Former Egyptian presidential hopeful Ahmed Tantawi released from prison after serving one-year sentence
Former Egyptian presidential hopeful Ahmed Tantawi has been released from prison after serving a one-year sentence for offences related to the 2023 presidential election, his lawyer said. 'Tantawi is now at his home' in the Nile Delta city of Kafr El Sheikh, said the lawyer, Khaled Ali. Mr Tantawi, a former member of parliament and vocal critic of President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, had sought to challenge the incumbent in the 2023 presidential vote. However, he and 22 of his campaign staff were convicted of 'circulating unauthorised election materials'. Rights lawyers said at the time that the charge was part of tactics employed by the authorities to prevent serious challengers from running against Mr El Sisi, who went on to win with a landslide 89.6 per cent of the vote. Mr Tantawi, 45, had accused authorities of stymying his effort to gather the 25,000 official endorsements required under the law to enter the race. In response, he allowed supporters to fill out 'popular endorsement forms' – copies of the official forms – an improvisation that prosecutors later branded electoral fraud. In the end, Mr Tantawi could not collect the required 25,000 endorsements, managing only 14,000, and he subsequently withdrew his candidature. The 2023 election gave Mr El Sisi a third, six-year term in office. Under the constitution, the Egyptian leader, who is 70, is now serving his final term. Mr Tantawi's release from prison on Wednesday night may not be the end of his legal troubles. Last month, he was questioned in connection with two other cases. Prosecutors accused him of 'inciting a terrorist act' and 'inciting a public gathering' for allegedly calling for demonstrations against the war in Gaza in October 2023. He has denied the accusations.
Egypt Today
2 days ago
- Business
- Egypt Today
President Sisi follows up on latest updates of ‘Digilians' initiative
CAIRO – 28 May 2025: Egypt's President Abdel Fattah El Sisi met with Minister of Communications and Information Technology Amr Talaat and Director of the Egyptian Military Academy Lieutenant General Ashraf Salem Zaher on Wednesday. The Spokesman for the Presidency, Ambassador Mohamed El-Shennawy, said President Sisi followed up on the latest pertinent to the 'Digilians" initiative, mainly the executive procedures for joining, as the initiative is set to be operative by September 2025. The procedures reviewed included the establishment of a registration platform, the completion of the technological and engineering preparations, and the necessary infrastructure to implement the initiative on time. The Minister of Communications and Information Technology explained that the initiative is open to all young men and women, from different academic and professional disciplines, and from all governorates. The selection process will be conducted objectively. He also noted that the study will include multiple programs, including an intensive diploma, a specialized diploma, a professional master's degree, and an academic master's degree, all of which will be offered completely free of charge, including accommodation, living expenses, and training. The curriculum will include a comprehensive set of technical, personal, linguistic, life and leadership skills, in addition to freelancing skills. President Sisi also reviewed the initiative's tracks, including the development of students' technical skills. Agreements are being concluded with international and local companies operating in Egypt to receive trainees in the initiative after completing the duration of theoretical study to acquire technical skills. This is while focusing on supporting them in presenting an idea for a profitable technology-based project, and participating in Egypt's digital projects. Furthermore, all trainees will be assisted in creating an account on freelancing platforms and securing practical projects. President Sisi stressed the need to complete all the executive procedures related to implementing the initiative on time, while considering ways to expand the base of beneficiaries of the initiative to achieve a significant leap in the number and quality of trained personnel in the field of communications and information technology. President Sisi also gave directives to cooperate with specialized entities in various technological sciences, both locally and internationally, to develop the linguistic, life, and leadership skills of Egyptian youth, in light of the state's strategy to build digital capabilities and technology-specialized cadres. The President also emphasized the importance of continuing to implement digital transformation plans and further develop the state's technological infrastructure.
