A snap shot of Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi speaks during the 43rd anniversary of Sinai Liberation Day. Photo courtesy of Egyptian Presidential Facebook page.
Addressing the nation on the 43rd anniversary of Sinai Liberation Day, El-Sisi added that defending Sinai and the homeland was "a foundation of national security that cannot be compromised or relinquished."
Sinai Liberation Day marks the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Sinai Peninsula in 1982 under the 1979 peace treaty.
He described Sinai as "that pure spot on Egyptian soil, which has long been a target for greedy individuals and a symbol of steadfastness and sacrifice throughout history."
The president went on to say that Sinai, as an integral part of Egypt, is "an unshakeable and inalienable truth," safeguarded by the will of its people and the courage of its army.
El-Sisi also greeted the Egyptian Armed Forces for their sacrifices in defending the land and praised the police's efforts in combating terrorism in Sinai.
"We salute the Egyptian Armed Forces, who sacrificed their lives defending our land and honour. We also salute the civilian police, who fought a fierce battle to eradicate terrorism from the precious land of Sinai," he stressed.
Furthermore, the president also commended Egyptian diplomacy for its efforts in proving Egyptian sovereignty over Taba through international arbitration, calling it a "shining example" of national victories.
Egypt restored sovereignty over the Red Sea city of Taba in South Sinai in 1988.
Following an intense legal battle with Israel, the International Court of Arbitration concluded that Taba lay within Egyptian territory.
"The Egyptian diplomacy and the national task force proved that rights are won through will, knowledge, and patience. They waged a pioneering legal battle," El-Sisi added.
He reiterated that "just as the liberation of Sinai was a sacred duty, so too is the relentless pursuit of development in Egypt."
"Today, we are witnessing unprecedented efforts everywhere in Egypt toward progress and building a modern state worthy of Egypt's value and history," El-Sisi added.
Barrier against the Palestinian cause liquidation
The president stated that the ongoing Israeli war in Gaza will go down in history for causing such widespread devastation and the shameful humanitarian tragedy it perpetrated, which claimed the lives of tens of thousands.
He added that Egypt's "clear and unwavering position" has always been to call for a ceasefire, the release of hostages and detainees, and the provision of sufficient humanitarian aid to the Palestinians in Gaza..
Egypt, El-Sisi affirmed, has also firmly rejected any displacement of Palestinians from their land.
"History has shown that Egypt stands as an impregnable barrier against attempts to liquidate the Palestinian cause," the president asserted.
He emphasised that the reconstruction of war-ravaged Gaza must proceed according to the Arab-Islamic plan, without any displacement, to preserve the legitimate rights of the Palestinians and safeguard Egypt's national security.
"We reiterate that just and comprehensive peace can only be achieved through establishing an independent Palestinian state per international law. This is the only true guarantee for ending cycles of violence and revenge and achieving lasting peace," El-Sisi continued.
The president noted that the US-mediated 1979 peace treaty between Egypt and Israel serves "as a historical model for resolving conflicts and retaliatory tendencies, thereby consolidating peace and stability."
He urged the international community, particularly the US and President Trump, to fulfil their expected role in this regard.
Moreover, El-Sisi lauded Egyptians for their "sober vision and profound understanding of the significant challenges facing Egypt and the wider region," noting that such solidarity demonstrated the internal front's resilience to attempts to sow discord or destabilisation.
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