CAIRO, April 28, 2018 (MENA) – President Abdel Fattah El Sisi said on Saturday that the real challenge facing the Egyptian people is maintaining the State's unity. Speaking at a seminar organized by the Armed Forces on the occasion marking Sinai Liberation, Sisi said Egypt, after the defeat in the 1967 War, has exerted strenuous efforts to rebuild its Armed Forces. In this regard, he paid tribute to late president Anwar el Sadat and the army for the decision that was made at that difficult time to launch the October War. Meanwhile, Sisi said the challenge facing Egypt is internal, not external. He called on the Egyptians to be careful of what is plotted against them in order to make them fight each other. In his word, Abul Gheit said Russian experts left Egypt at that time before the 1973 war, encouraging the US to open channels of communication. Negotiations were conducted and lasted for six years and nothing was accomplished, he said, adding that participants spoke about the recovery of Egyptian sovereignty in Sinai, but pointed out to needs of Israeli security without mentioning further details. Regarding terrorism in Sinai, Abul Gheit said Egypt will succeed under the leadership of President Abdel Fattah el Sisi and the Egyptian people and the Armed Forces in fighting terrorism. Abul Gheit said he is confident that Sinai will be re-built and developed. For his part, Presidential Aide for National and Strategic Projects Ibrahim Mahlab said reconstruction teams will continue their work in Sinai to make it an oasis of safety and security in the future. Mahlab pointed out to efforts exerted to achieve sustainable development in Sinai. Reconstruction in Sinai is supported by a strong political determination, he said, adding that Sinai development is a national security project which costs about 75 billion pounds and will be implemented by 2022.
