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Egypt could launch an Arab rescue initiative based on a strategy to fight terrorism

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President Michel Aoun on Monday started his first visit to Cairo since his election in October and held talks with his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. “Hopes of the role that Egypt could play are high. An Egypt of moderation and openness… could launch an Arab rescue initiative based on a strategy to fight terrorism,” Aoun said at a joint press conference. The two sides “agreed on the need to stand together against the dangers of terrorism,” Sisi said, adding that Egypt was ready “to support the capabilities of Lebanon’s army and its various security bodies”. On Tuesday, Aoun will visit Jordan at the invitation of Jordanian King Abdullah II.

The Lebanese-Jordanian summit will address the Syrian and Iraqi refugees crisis

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The Baabda Presidential Palace has completed arrangements for President Michel Aoun’s trip to Egypt and Jordan next week, his second Arab trip after his election as president. On Monday, Aoun will first meet in Cairo with his Egyptian counterpart Abdul Fattah al-Sisi and Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahlab. He will later head to the Arab League headquarters for talks with its Secretary-General Ahmed AboulGheit. For their part, Lebanese ministers will hold meetings with their Egyptian counterparts. On Tuesday, Aoun will head to Jordan for talks with Jordanian King Abdullah II. The Lebanese-Jordanian summit will address the Syrian and Iraqi refugees crisis and study the ways to alleviate their impact on the economies of both countries.

President Al-Sisi discussing of “forces of evil” and draw up strategies aimed at destroying the Egyptian state

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President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi on Thursday attended a cultural seminar, held by the armed forces, discussing how “forces of evil” draw up strategies aimed at destroying the Egyptian state and inciting public opinion against it.During the session, political analyst Abdel Moneem Saeed elaborated on those evil powers’ plans, mainly pointing fingers at the Muslim Brotherhood group. “They have two strategies; the first one is using militant groups to terrorise people on the ground, while the second one is using media outlets to distort the image of the state,” he said. Saeed mentioned as an example when the New Suez Canal was pointed by the MB Group as unuseful and when they started defending the Red Sea islands of Tiran and Sanafir as Egyptian lands through more lies and the promotion of the idea that the state was involved in a corrupted deal”.

Egypt: fake elections

Middle East - Africa di

The first round of parliamentary elections of 17 and 18 October established a clear and predictable victory of President Fattah al Sisi’s party “For the Love of Egypt” and, at the same time, a turnout very poor, less than 25%. On October 27, Egyptians have come back to the polls for runoff concerning over 200 non-elected candidates.

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According to local and international analysts, al Sisi’s popularity should be weighed by electoral turnout: therefore, his degree of consensus is obvious. After the revolution and the elections of 2012, characterized by the victory of the Muslim Brotherhood representative Mohammed Morsi, Egypt return to re-elect its parliament. However, Egyptians thirst for freedom, as witnessed by the revolution of 2011, was stopped by the current regime.

Indeed, almost 80% of the 55 million assignees remained at home in the first round due to al Sisi illiberal actions. Come to power in 2014 after the coup against Morsi, the current head of state has branded the Muslim Brotherhood as terrorist organization, arresting and sentencing to death the former president and movement leadership.

And it’s necessary to add the new constitution, too. If it apparently contains a few liberal ideas, such as the limit of two consecutive terms and openness to minorities while maintaining Islam as state religion, however a profound knowledge reveals the president influence on parliament, which have to approve his decrees.

In addition, major works, the opening to foreign capital and interventionism in Libya in order to ingratiate the international community, three reasons of comparison with Nasser, contrast with the total lack of welfare and proximity former President Hosni Mubarak de facto .

Waiting for ballot turnout and outcome, the first round gives further directions on Egypt fettle. Besides the above, low turnout on 17 and 18 October permitted al Sisi to win 60 seats out of 60. While, supposedly secular and liberal “Free Egyptians Party”, established by telecommunications tycoon Naguib Sawiris, which include, with its ally “For love of Egypt”, some members of the former Mubarak regime, has now elected five candidates, while 65 went to the second round.

“It was not easy to create a strong party without government interference. The coalition does not matter for us, because they asked us to come in to have more reliability, “said Sawiris to Le Monde.

Excellent results also of “For the future of the nation”, political movement composed of young linked to the coup of 2013. However, “Al Nour”, the only overtly Islamist party in after disappearance of “Muslim Brotherhood”, was defeated.

After runoff, the second election will be on 22 and 23 November. While results will be published in December. However, the outcome is already certain that, after the Arab Spring and Morsi presidency, Egypt is back to a context similar to Mubarak regime, but anguished by Islamist organizations affiliated to Caliphate and mainly operating in Sinai.
Giacomo Pratali

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Egypt: bomb attacks, at least 30 injured

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At least 30 injured, 6 of which were policemen, after that Egyptian security building and a courthouse were hit by three car bombs in Cairo at 2:00: “A man suddenly stopped his car in front of the state security building, jumped out of it and fled on a motorbike that followed the car,” Ministry of Internal Affairs explained.

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But responsability could not be jihadist. In fact, Black Bloc group claim attempt: “We announce our full and complete responsibility for the explosions which occurred a few hours ago, “ they said on Facebook. They also explained that this action is the answer to several imprisonment people because of their political crimes.

After anti-terrorism laws wanted by al Sisi three days ago, this attempt is an obvious reply to Egyptian government. Especially because it should the first violent attack anti-islamist in this country if claim of responsability were proved.
Giacomo Pratali

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Egypt, anti-terrorism laws: new “Arab Winter”?

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Death penalty for those who take part in the Jihadist groups. Journalists mustn’t contradict official accounts. Al Sisi mandate marks return to nationalism and repression against opponents. But this policy is counterproductive: attacks in the country has exponentially increased since 2013.

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Yes to anti-terrorism legislation. The hard line of the Egyptian president to Sisi has gone on. Within the 54 measures passed, the most crucial are death penalty for those who founds or finances a terrorist group. And fines from 23,000 to 58,000 Euros to journalists who write wrong informations or different knowledge from government statements.

If Egypt wants to be back first partner in the political and trade relations with International Community, like about Suez Canal expansion, on the other hand al Sisi wants to show internal stability and capability to fight internal Jihadists group. This mood is bringing a hard repression not only against Islamists, but also against also political opponents and Egyptian press.

A crackdown began in June 2014, when current president al Sisi started his political mandate, and continued with Arab Springs protagonist repression. Many political opponents, not considered terrorists during Mubarak regime, are now considered criminals. As the death sentence to former President Morsi, to supreme leader Badie and leaders of the Muslim Brotherhood, of which the legal office filed an appeal on August 16.

This attempt to stabilize the country, with an eye to the West in view of a possible intervention of the United Nations and Italy in Libya, brings a regression in terms of fundamental rights. An attitude branded by some observers as illiberal and even more militaristic than the Mubarak regime. This political behaviour wants to give West the eye, especially if United Nations and Italy will intervene in Libya. However, many international observers have talked about a harder repression than during Mubarak regime.

But it’s not enough. This fight against terrorism is counterproductive. As reported by the Brookings Institution, data published in August by Egypt Center for Economic and Social Rights tell us that the terrorist attacks in Egypt have increased exponentially: from 2011 to June 2013 were 78; from July 2013 until May 2014, 1223 . And with tens of thousands of arrests for political reasons, at least 300 disappeared, murders of institutional positions and deterioration in Sinai, the issue is clear.

An ineffective and counterproductive policy which, as underlined by the Brookings Institute, could be a gift, from political and public points of view, Islamic State.
Giacomo Pratali

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Egypt: Suez Canal “nationalistic” expansion

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Suez Canal expansion inaugurated yestarday. A great ceremony to demonstrate al Sisi eminence. It’s clear that he wants to follow Nasser’s footsteps.

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A great ceremony, held on August 6 in Ismailia, has ratified Suez Canal expansion. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Sisi has been protagonist of this parade, to which have contributed several world leaders, including the guest of honor the French President Francoise Hollande. Highlight has been simultaneous passage of two ships in the opposite directions.

Suez Canal, opened in 1869, now stretches 72 kilometers, accessible in both directions. Unlike the work infrastructure built by the French company Compagnie Universelle du Canal Maritime de Suez, for which it took ten years, this time realization has been only two: “We will continue to fight terrorism, and we will win. There is no doubt. Egyptians needed to feel, in a year’s time, that they have gained more confidence and security, “al Sisi shooted.

About this infrastructural work carried out, many analysts of international politics have raised doubts. Excluding the $ 8.2 billion spent, the Egyptian government estimate of obtaining $ 13.2 billion by 2023. And, always by the same date, the ships able to transit through the canal will be 97 per day, compared of 49 today.

Numbers which confirm the importance of this maritime route built in the 19th century. But gain difference is not so clear. Egyptian media campaign, as during opening ceremony, it is clearly pro al Sisi. He’s working on two sides.

Geopolitical, where Egypt, Saudi Arabia’s main ally in the Sunni world, definitely wants to become the main partner of the West against Isis in Libya, where it’s supporting Tobruk government. Not only. On the economical and business points of view, Suez Canal expansion will especially benefit China, which made several long term investiments in Africa and in South-Eastern port of Athens.

Internally, al Sisi moves are following Nasser, the second president of Egypt. In 1956, in fact, he nationalized Suez Canal, while in 1970 it was completed the massive Aswan High Dam. The major infrastructure projects and the common rivalry with the Muslim Brotherhood are bringing al Sisi at the same Nasser political line: through propaganda, he wants to become the undisputed leader of Egypt, redacting serious problems of stability in Sinai.
Giacomo Pratali

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