Staff Report CAIRO, March 23, 2018 - President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, the Supreme Commander of the Egyptian Armed Forces, on Friday asserted that the heroes of the Armed Forces and Police were exerting great efforts to fight terrorism in Northern and Central Sinai. During a surprise visit to one of the air-bases in Sinai, President Sisi noted that the Armed Forces and the Police were undertaking the task of securing and protecting the nation on all axial directions not only the Sinai. In remarks to pilots, the President highlighted the necessity for upholding the noble military morals and using abrupt force against any person who dared to use a weapon against the Egyptians. The President also asserted that terrorism would be uprooted and security would be restored to 'this dear spot of Egypt's soil soon'. "Soon, we will come here again to celebrate our victory over those insurgents of our time," President Sisi told the pilots. During the visit, the President praised the high capabilities and efficiency of the pilots and their skills in destroying and eliminating terrorist targets in Sinai. He also praised the efforts made by the Armed Forces and the police in confronting terrorist elements nationwide. The President also asserted the need to continue and intensify such efforts to confront terrorism strongly and decisively. He called upon the pilots to keep upholding the noble and lofty military values which have for long distinguished the Egyptian Armed Forces. He also discussed with pilots their anti-terrorism plans and ways of maintaining Egypt's safety. "The main task of the Armed Forces is to guard each and every yard of the land of Egypt," President Sisi said, stressing that never would the Armed Forces condone that the security of the nation be jeopardized. President Sisi paid tribute to the patriotic role of the army in the service of the nation, citing its preparedness to undertake duty-bound tasks under all conditions. He said that the Government was paying close attention to Sinai development. The government has launched a LE275 billion development plan, which would be completed soon, President Sisi said, adding that a new civilian airport had been built in Sinai. This airport is one of Sinai's development pillars, he said. The Friday visit came within the framework of President Sisi's keenness on following up on the progress of Operation Sinai 2018, which targets terrorist and criminal elements in Central and Northern Sinai as well as areas in the Nile Delta and the Western Desert
