Egyptians will take next Thursday as a paid day off to commemorate the 39th anniversary of Sinai Liberation Day, which falls on Sunday, 25 April, a decree by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly read.

According to the decree, Thursday 29 April will be an official holiday for ministries, public authorities, public sector companies, and the private sector, instead of Sunday.

Egypt celebrates on 25 April the final withdrawal of all Israeli military forces from the Sinai Peninsula in 1982 following the 1979 US-brokered Camp David peace accords.

The Camp David peace accords were signed after the victory of the Egyptian army against Israel in the October 1973 War.

The government has decided since last year to grant Thursdays as a day off in the case of national holidays falling on weekdays.

This applies for all national holidays except Eid Al-Fitr, Eid Al-Adha, and Christmas.