CAIRO, March 17 (MENA) – President Abdel Fattah El Sisi has praised the cohesion of the Egyptian people and the strength of state institutions, especially the Armed Forces and the police, as they constitute the state's cornerstone in such exceptional times.

Sisi made the remarks as he attended the annual Iftar ceremony held by the Armed Forces which coincided with the anniversary of the 10th of Ramadan War victory and the Veteran Warrior and Martyr's Day.

The ceremony was attended by Speaker of the House of Representatives Hanafy Gebaly, Senate Speaker Abdel Wahab Abdel Razeq, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, Minister of Defense and Military Production Abdel Meguid Saqr, Armed Forces Chief of Staff Ahmed Khalifa, Al Azhar Grand Imam Ahmed el Tayyeb, and Pope Tawadros II of Alexandria and Patriarch of the Saint Mark Diocese.

A number of ministers, governors, army commanders, police chiefs, senior state officials, veteran army commanders, and some Egyptian Military Academy cadets were also present at the ceremony.

Addressing the event, Sisi said Egypt has taken steady steps despite the challenges it has been facing over the past 15 years, including the economic crises that also affected the world.

In this regard, the president said the monthly losses of the Suez Canal revenues reached around $800 million due to the regional situation, Presidential Spokesman Mohamed el Shennawy said.

Sisi added that the Egyptian economy is seeing positive indicators, pointing out the International Monetary Fund's recent approval of the disbursement of a new tranche of aid to the country.

President Sisi sent a reassuring message to the Egyptian people, indicating his awareness of the anxiety Egyptians are experiencing due to the current events, which reflects their national responsibility and concern for the country's stability, the presidential spokesman said.

Meanwhile, the president highlighted the importance of a "positive" media, pointing out the necessity of raising generations on authentic Egyptian values and morals, stressing the Egyptian media’s essential role in this regard. (MENA)

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