Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan hailed the inauguration of the 3rd of July Naval Base in Egypt’s northwest coast on Saturday as a reflection of progress in the country’s vital sectors.

Accompanied by President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, Al-Nahyan also the deputy supreme commander of the UAE armed forces, attended the inauguration of Egypt’s largest naval base in Gargoub area along with two grandsons.

Head of Libya’s Presidency Council Mohamed Al-Menfi as well as senior Egyptian officials, including Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and Minister of Defence and Military Production Mohamed Zaki, attended the inauguration.

 “I was pleased to witness this milestone and I'm confident in Egypt’s continued development,” the crown prince tweeted.

Al-Nahyan added that the inauguration of the 3rd of July base represents “an achievement that reflects progress in vital sectors in the country under the leadership of my brother Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi.”

The 3rd of July base, which stretches over 10 million square metres, is meant to secure Egypt’s northern and western borders, Presidential Spokesman Bassam Rady said in a statement.

The naval base will also safeguard Egypt’s economic capabilities, secure shipping routes, and maintain maritime security by using combat groups from ground military units, submarines, and air forces, Rady added.

El-Sisi, the visiting leaders, and Egyptian officials attended the military drill "Qader 2021" in the base following the inauguration.

The base takes its name after the day Islamist president Mohamed Morsi was ousted following days of public protests against him and his now banned Muslim Brotherhood group in 2013.