by admin | May 25, 2021 | Markets, Muslim World, Technology
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi
Cairo : Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has signed a new law that tightens controls over the internet.
The legislation on “cybercrime” means websites can be blocked in Egypt if deemed to constitute a threat to national security or the economy, the BBC reported.
Anyone found guilty of running, or just visiting, such sites could face prison or a fine.
Authorities said on Saturday that the new measures are needed to tackle instability and terrorism.
The Cairo-based Association of Freedom of Thought and Expression said more than 500 websites had already been blocked in Egypt prior to the new law being signed.
Last month another bill was passed by parliament, yet to be approved by President Sisi, that would allow any social media accounts with more than 5,000 followers to be placed under supervision.
—IANS
by admin | May 25, 2021 | Muslim World
Cairo : Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi was sworn in on Saturday for a second term till 2022, the state-run TV reported.
In a large ceremony held in the Parliament, Sisi took the oath as President with the words: “I swear by God to protect the republican system, to respect the Constitution and the law, to safeguard the people’s interests and to preserve the independence of the nation and the unity of lands.”
He won his second term with 97 per cent of the vote in Egypt’s 2018 presidential election held in March.
“We managed to cross very difficult stage towards a future with more stability,” the President said after taking the oath.
After focusing on economic reforms in his first term, Sisi said he will give priority in the coming four years to health and education issues, according to state-run Nile TV.
“Leading a country like Egypt is really great and difficult… but Egypt will carry on its efforts for promoting the international ties in light of partnerships,” he said.
His first oath was taken at the Supreme Constitutional Court in 2014. The last presidential inauguration held in Egypt’s Parliament was in 2005 when ousted President Hosni Mubarak was sworn in for the fifth and last time.
—IANS
by admin | May 25, 2021 | Muslim World
Cairo : Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi has said establishing a Palestinian state through the two-state solution is the only way to achieve stability, peace, prosperity and development in the region.
Sisi’s remarks on Wednesday came during his meeting with his visiting Palestinian counterpart Mahmoud Abbas, Xinhua news agency reported.
The Egyptian President stressed Egypt’s pursuit to reach a fair and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict that guarantees the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on pre-1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.
The two leaders held talks on the latest developments of the Palestinian cause within the framework of ongoing coordination and cooperation between the two countries to probe the Arab and international efforts aiming at confronting the recent US decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
For his part, Abbas expressed his appreciation for Egypt’s endeavours to support the Palestinian people, asserting that Egypt spared no effort to help establish a Palestinian independent state.
The Palestinian president also lauded Egypt’s recent stance in the United Nations (UN) to overcome the US decision as well as its efforts to achieve reconciliation between rival Palestinian factions.
Last December, US President Donald Trump announced his country’s recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, a move that drew widespread criticism and protests worldwide.
The Palestinians consider East Jerusalem, which was seized by the Israelis in the 1967 war, as the capital of their future independent state, while the Israelis insist that the entire city is their eternal capital.
—IANS
