El-Sisi lauds Egyptian people’s understanding of economic reform decisions

During an Iftar banquet of the Egyptian family, the president said the country has no other option but taking steps to reform economy, saying he believes in the people’s ability to afford measures adopted by the government for that purpose, the spokesman said.

The banquet was attended by Prime Minister Sherif Ismail, Grand Imam Ahmed el Tayyeb, Pope Tawadros II of Alexandria and a group of lawmakers and public figures.

The president said he cannot relinquish any Egyptian land, following outcry over the parliament’s approval of a maritime demarcation deal between Egypt and Saudi Arabia, which places two Red Sea islands in the Saudi waters.

"Nations cannot be sold or bought, and countries should be governed by law,” Sisi said.

"You have entrusted me to this country and I will be held accountable not only by you but after all before the God," he added.

The president stressed that those who oppose the deal have the right to express their opinions, Youssef said.

Sisi asserted that he did not agree with some opinions to postpone debating the deal until after the upcoming presidential elections, the spokesman noted.

He called on Egyptians not to designate each other as traitors. “We are on a mission to rescue a nation and the danger still exists,” he added.

"We will not forgive terror fundraisers, who use their money to kill our children and destroy our homeland," President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi said.

The president also urged the world countries to take a firm stance against terrorism-sponsoring states.

He also accused such states of pumping billions of dollars to carry out terrorist attacks and provide terrorists with weapons to destroy our nation.