During the meeting, El-Sisi affirmed that the Egyptian people's unity and cohesion are the pivot of the state's strategic protection and the essential guarantee for maintaining Egyptian security and stability.

He stressed that the Egyptians have stood as a "bulwark" against attempts to destabilize the country and undermine constitutional institutions, thereby avoiding the negative repercussions associated with instability.

The president also affirmed that the past ten years have demonstrated the Egyptian people's resilience and awareness in facing the challenging circumstances unfolding in the region.

Furthermore, El-Sisi explained that the recent developments have brought the region to a historic crossroads, requiring caution and in-depth analysis before making any decisions.

The president also emphasized that the Egyptian policy principles are based on balance, moderation, and positivity aimed at resolving crises rather than escalating them to avoid slipping into grave danger that threatens regional security as a whole.

El-Sisi added that the countries of the region have their own interests that should not conflict with one another, stressing the need to conduct a strategic dialogue among them to enhance development and maximize the benefits of their people’s resources.

Haya Karima
 

Apart from addressing regional crises, the president also highlighted the state's continuous efforts to improve citizens' well-being, such as the Haya Karima initiative. 

According to El-Sisi, this initiative is divided into three phases, each targeting 1,500 villages and nearly 40,000 homes in rural areas, with an overall financial cost estimated at EGP 600 billion.

However, the first phase ended up costing EGP 400 billion, double the estimated EGP 200 billion, which is also the projected cost for the next two phases.

Additionally, El-Sisi said that the Suez Canal has incurred losses amounting to EGP 300 billion in recent months, highlighting the economic challenges facing the country.

He further affirmed that the state has been pursuing a reformative path over the past ten years to prepare generations capable of assuming responsibilities across all sectors.

El-Sisi also stressed the importance of confronting illegal behaviours that seek to exploit benefits provided by the state for specific groups, such as vehicles designated for persons with disabilities.

He highlighted the need for a societal orientation towards computer science and information technology studies to build distinguished Egyptian cadres in these vital fields and to open up new, unconventional, and more profitable job opportunities for Egyptian youth.

The president's meeting came in preparation for the graduation of a new batch of students from the Egyptian Military Academy for 2024 and in light of his keenness to follow up on their intellectual and cultural qualifications.

The meeting was attended by Minister of Defence and Military Production General Abdel-Meguid Saqr, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces Lieutenant-General Ahmed Khalifa, and several senior military commanders.