HM King attends new Suez Canal inauguration

Isma'iliyah, Aug.6(BNA): His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa today attended the inauguration of the new Suez Canal, which was held under the patronage of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, in the presence of leaders of Arab and foreign countries and world figures. HM the King thanked President al-Sisi for the invitation to attend the inaugural ceremony and join the Egyptian people in celebrating the opening of the new strategic artery which represents a milestone for Egypt and a new bright page in a long history laden with landmark achievements. In a statement on this occasion, HM the King congratulated Egypt's leadership and people on the historic achievement that epitomizes the capability of their country which braved all challenges and completed, in a record time, the giant project, deemed one of the mega milestones of the century. "The new Suez Canal is the project of a generation, people and nation as well as the farsighted vision of President al-Sisi", HM the King said. He stressed the importance of the new Suez Canal which, he said, would hopefully change the map of the Egyptian economy for the better and bolster Egypt's international standing. He underlined the strategic importance of the new water artery, saying that it would serve the world economy and trade and strengthen Egypt's investment attractiveness. HM the King paid tribute to the crucial role of the Egyptian army which carried out the mega project in a record time, hailing its long-standing history and landmark achievements over years. "The Egyptian army, the biggest in olden times, is also the largest nowadays in the Middle East", he said, lauding its crucial role in protecting national and Arab gains and assets. HM the King hailed Egypt's positive role and effective contribution to Operation Decisive Storm and Operation Restore Hope, describing the coalition as the biggest pan-Arab military and political alliance, which represents a true Arab awakening to stave off the dangers and threats targeting the Arab nation.