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Egypt''s Presidency Formally Announces Obama''s Visit Program; Al Azhar University Sheikh and Cairo University President Send Invitations for His Speech
Yesterday the presidential headquarters announced the completion of the final arrangements for the forthcoming visit of US President Barack Obama to Egypt, in coordination with the US Embassy in Cairo and a delegation from the White House. The statement issued by the Presidency said that the program of the visit will include a red carpet welcome by President Mubarak to the guest visiting the Dome Palace followed by closed-door discussions between the two presidents, and an open one among the delegations. The statement said, "The program will also include the delivery of a speech by the US President to the Islamic world, from Cairo University, and a visit to some historical monuments before leaving" pointing out that the presidency will begin, today, to send out the invitations to specific guests inviting them to attend the speech by the US President. These invitations bear the name of Al-Azhar Sheikh and the President of Cairo University.
Yesterday morning, the US flag was raised next to two Egyptian ones on the Dome Palace to receive the US President. Local authorities launched a wide campaign to clean the areas surrounding the palace, and the subway walls were painted in record time.
An official source said the Dome Palace could not be more appropriate to receive Obama, as it is totally secure. The source said that the US President's motorcade from the airport as far as Kobri el-Kobba would pass by Salah Salem Street, one of the most secure in Egypt, and that it would take the convoy a quarter of an hour to reach the palace. The citizens are cautiously expecting the visit, especially those who use the subway and pass by Kobri El-Kobba station. They fear tightened security measures at the areas surrounding the subway the day of the visit and the closure of the station entrances when the motorcade passes by. This happened when Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev visited Egypt, as security forces blocked people inside the subway station for more than four hours. Meanwhile, local residents are preparing to do without their mobile phones as they would interfere with communication devices.
