Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukri has donated half a month's salary to the Long Live Egypt fund, established by President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi to aid the country's ailing economy. Shoukri's donation comes as part of an initiative by the ministry to urge its employees to contribute to the fund. The council of assistant ministers have also donated half a month's salary, according to a ministry statement. "This step comes from the principle of collective national responsibility, and in the spirit of solidarity and positive participation ingrained in the leaders and members of the foreign ministry," the statement read. The statement mentioned that Egyptian ambassadors are overseeing efforts to urge international funding institutions and Egyptian expat groups to contribute. Shortly after his election, El-Sisi donated LE500,000 to the fund, as well as half his salary. Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahlab has also said that he will donate half his monthly salary and a part of his wealth to the initiative. El-Sisi has repeatedly called on Egyptian businessmen to join the effort, and expressed his disappointment on the modest participation his calls have received. Egypt's top educational institution, Cairo University, donated LE20 million to Long Live Egypt in July, despite previous statements about the institution's financial troubles. Egypt's economy has struggled in the three years since the ouster of Hosni Mubarak in 2011, with a soaring deficit and dwindling foreign reserves. Source : Ahram online
