Abdel-Fatah el-Sissi

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Despite Protests, Egypt Hands Over Red Sea Islands to Saudis

At least 120 were arrested protesting the decision earlier this month

(Newser) - Egypt's president on Saturday ratified a disputed 2016 agreement under which his country would transfer control of two strategic Red Sea islands to Saudi Arabia. News of President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi's ratification of the maritime border demarcation agreement with Saudi Arabia came in a Cabinet statement, which appeared to...

Egypt Acquits US-Egyptian Citizen of Child Abuse

Aya Hijazi was held in legal limbo for 3 years over her aid group for street children

(Newser) - An Egyptian court has acquitted Aya Hijazi, a dual US-Egyptian citizen, after nearly three years of detention over accusations related to running a foundation dedicated to helping street children, reports the AP . Egyptian authorities arrested the 30-year-old Hijazi, her husband Mohamed Hassanein, and six others in May 2014 on charges...

Egypt Declares 3-Month State of Emergency

Death toll from church bombings is now 44

(Newser) - Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi called for a three-month state of emergency late Sunday night after suicide bombers struck hours apart at two Coptic churches, killing 44 people and turning Palm Sunday services into scenes of horror and outrage at the government. According to Egypt's constitution, Parliament must vote...

EgyptAir Jet Was Graffitied Ominously 2 Years Ago

Airline had increased security measures in face of nation's turmoil

(Newser) - Egyptian President Abdel-Fatah El-Sissi says a submarine is en route to the crash site of EgyptAir Flight 804 to search for the black boxes, but the New York Times reports that the airline had long suffered from security threats stemming from Egypt's political turmoil—including, ominously, a graffitied threat...

Egypt: UN Force Needed for 'Abandoned' Libya

Militia-backed PM calls strikes 'treacherous aggression'

(Newser) - Egypt's president says creating a UN-backed coalition is the best course of action to rid Libya of Islamic extremists. Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi, speaking to France's Europe 1 Radio yesterday, said Egyptian airstrikes against ISIS positions in Libya on Monday were in self-defense. The airstrikes were in retaliation for the...

Amal Clooney Shoves Egypt to Release al-Jazeera Journo

Mohamed Fahmy is among 2 journalists still imprisoned

(Newser) - Mohamed Fahmy just got a legal A-lister in his corner: Amal Clooney has written Egyptian president Abdel-Fatah el-Sissi urging "the immediate release of my client," one of three al-Jazeera journalists stuffed in Egyptian prison in 2013 on charges of assisting the Muslim Brotherhood many regarded as trumped up....

Behind Journos' 7-Year Sentence: Vacation Photos?

Trio of al-Jazeera reporters convicted, sentenced today

(Newser) - Egypt today sentenced three al-Jazeera journalists to at least 7 years in prison on charges of supporting the Muslim Brotherhood, which the country has deemed a terrorist organization—in a case that saw the prosecution provide scant and largely unrelated evidence. The men were also charged with creating false footage...

Mob Sex Assaults Mar Egypt's Inauguration

Seven men arrested after graphic video

(Newser) - As crowds in Cairo's Tahrir Square yesterday celebrated the election victory of Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, things turned ugly: Mobs sexually assaulted at least five women, CNN reports. Graphic video of one attack shows a woman stripped and bloodied, facing continued attacks even as police take her to their vehicle. Seven...

Egypt Swears In a New President

El-Sissi replaces Mohamed Morsi less than a year after he ousted him

(Newser) - Egypt's former army chief Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi was sworn in today as president for a four-year term, taking the reins of power in a nation roiled since 2011 by deadly unrest and economic woes. El-Sissi's inauguration came less than a year after the 59-year-old career infantry officer ousted the...

In Egypt Election, Ex-Army Chief Crushes Sole Opponent

El-Sissi takes 92% of vote amid tepid turnout

(Newser) - With nearly all votes in Egypt's presidential election counted, the country's former military chief has won a crushing victory over his sole opponent with more than 92% of the votes, according to results announced by his campaign early today. The campaign of retired field marshal Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi said...

29 Killed as Egypt Marks Revolution's Anniversary

Many celebrate, call on army chief to run for president

(Newser) - The anniversary of Egypt's 2011 uprising brought a violent display of the country's furious divisions today, as giant crowds danced at government-backed rallies and security forces crushed demonstrations by rival Islamists and some secular activists. Clashes nationwide killed at least 29 protesters, health officials said. The starkly contrasting...

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