CAIRO, April 25 (MENA) – President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said on Saturday that the anniversary of Sinai Liberation remains a defining moment in Egypt’s history, underscoring the nation’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding every inch of its territory.
In a speech marking the 44th anniversary of Sinai’s liberation, Sisi stressed that the occasion represents more than the recovery of occupied land, describing it as a lasting declaration and an eternal affirmation that “Egypt does not relinquish a grain of its soil, nor does it accept compromise over its rights or its territory.”
“This day manifests an enduring truth: that a right, no matter how long the path to its attainment, is never lost; rather, it is reclaimed through steadfast faith, firm determination, and sincere work,” the President said.
Sinai is not just a geographical expanse of our homeland; it is its fortified gateway, watered by the blood of martyrs and adorned by the resilience of heroes.
Sinai stands as a testament that the great Egyptian people are capable of creating miracles, and that their valiant armed force is both the shield and the sword, liberating the land yesterday and safeguarding it today, and is ever capable of deterring anyone who contemplates approaching Egypt or infringing upon its national security, Sisi said.
“On this glorious occasion, we extend our highest expressions of reverence and appreciation to our valiant Armed Forces, and to the Civil Police who maintain internal security.
We also express our sincerest gratitude and loyalty to late President Mohamed Anwar al-Sadat, a man of visionary leadership and steadfast will toward achieving peace in the region,” the President said.
President Sisi further saluted the Egyptian legal team that fought the battle of international arbitration with brilliance and competence until Egypt regained Taba, completing the saga of liberation and restoring Sinai entirely under Egyptian sovereignty, standing proud within the embrace of the beloved homeland after military battles, political debates, and legal negotiations fought by Egypt’s sons on various fronts.
He stressed that the Egyptian state, with a firm will and unyielding resolve, has chosen to pursue the path of construction and development without pause or delay. This persists despite the immense challenges faced by Egypt and the region over the past decade.
These challenges began with the war against heinous terrorism, through the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by the Russian-Ukrainian war, the Gaza war, and most recently the Iranian war.
The President said such events have resulted in heavy repercussions, including Egypt’s loss of approximately $10 billion in Suez Canal revenues due to attacks on ships in the Bab al-Mandab Strait, in addition to hosting nearly 10 million arrivals from brotherly and friendly countries, as well as global increases in food and energy prices.
Despite the magnitude of these challenges, Egypt, by the grace of Allah, through hard work, and the resilience and endurance of its people, has overcome one crisis after another. It further has maintained its stability until it became an oasis of security and safety in a region beset by volatility on all fronts,” Sisi said.
“I also emphasize our awareness of the immense pressures facing our great people, and our understanding that building a robust and stable state is the ultimate guarantee for preserving the homeland and its citizens. We are working with all our strength and capacity to alleviate burdens and mitigate repercussions as much as possible,” the President reiterated.
The Middle East is navigating a critical and decisive juncture, witnessing deliberate endeavors to redraw its map under extremist ideological pretexts.
Egypt believes that the optimal path for the future of this region is not based on occupation, destruction, and bloodshed, but on cooperation, construction, and peace to achieve stability, the only path for prosperity to prevail for all.
In this regard, Egypt underscores the necessity of respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states, and stopping attempts to divide and dismantle countries of the region, seize their peoples’ resources, and fuel internal strife, and civil and international wars.
Egypt also stresses that political solutions and negotiations are the best means to spare the region further disasters, bloodshed, and destruction.
Within this framework, Egypt has clearly and firmly condemned the recent attacks against some brotherly Arab states. Egypt reaffirms its categorical rejection of any infringement upon their sovereignty or territorial integrity, and declares its full support for them.
Egypt takes renowned political stances in support of Arab rights before international organizations without equivocation or compromise.
President Sisi reiterated that solidarity is the only path for the countries of the region to overcome hardships, and that Egypt will remain a pillar of support for its nation, defending its causes and working sincerely to achieve its supreme interests.
Furthermore, we stress the importance of the full implementation of the second phase of the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip, including the unhindered entry of humanitarian aid and the immediate commencement of reconstruction.
“We reiterate our unequivocal rejection, beyond any interpretation or compromise, of any attempt to displace the Palestinians under any circumstances. We further assert the necessity of halting the repeated attacks against the Palestinian people in the West Bank, in order to protect their rights, preserve their dignity, and uphold the values of justice and humanity.
I reaffirm that Egypt’s choice is always peace, a choice grounded in strength, wisdom, and firm conviction, not in weakness, hesitation, or fear.
The Egyptian Armed Forces, with their doctrine and competence, are capable of protecting and defending the homeland and confronting anyone who attempts to undermine its national security or compromise its stability.
In conclusion, I renew my pledge before Allah and before you to continue working with utmost sincerity and dedication to protect the homeland, preserve its stability, and build a brighter future for its people.
I reassure you, with full confidence and faith in Allah the Almighty, that no matter how great the challenges become, and no matter how severe conflicts and crises escalate in our regional environment, Egypt, by Allah’s will and through your cohesion, awareness, and understanding, will remain steadfast, resilient to penetration or defeat,” President Sisi said.
May Allah protect Egypt and its people, and guide us all toward what is best for the nation and its stability, he said, adding that “Always and forever, and by Allah the Almighty: “Long live Egypt, long live Egypt, long live Egypt.” (MENA)
