Egypt's President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi discussed the security measures taken to fight terrorist organizations in North Sinai as well ongoing economic projects in a meeting with government ministers and top officials in Cairo on Monday, the Egyptian Presidency announced. The meeting was attended by the prime minister as well as the ministers of defense, foreign affairs, interior, health, justice, and public sector, in addition to the heads of the country's General Intelligence Service and the Administrative Control Authority, according to the presidency spokesperson Alaa Youssef. El-Sisi praised the role of the Egyptian Armed Forces and police in protecting the country and its citizens. Earlier Monday, three policemen and two civilians were killed in North Sinai's Al-Arish city after militants attacked security posts and a bank in the city. Since Friday, the army said it fended off three attacks by militants on security checkpoints in Al-Arish and Karm Al-Qawadis in North Sinai. Dozens of militants as well as twelve army personnel were killed in these attacks, the army said. The president also discussed progress on project of building the New Alamein City which will be inaugurated on the 75th anniversary of the famous WWII battle in Egypt's Marsa Matrouth governorate. The meeting also discussed the government's efforts in reclaiming state-owned land which has been developed illegally in various governorates. Officials additionally reviewed the progress of a government program expanding access to natural gas in Egyptian homes across the country. The president also discussed plans for his upcoming visit to France in October as well his planned visit to Nicosia, Cyprus in November to meet with the leaders of Cyprus and Greece.
