The Egyptian cabinet issued an appendix to an earlier decree on Wednesday regarding the country’s political borders and tightening military control on the border with Libya. The addition to the November 2014 decree requires residents who moved to the western border city of Salloum after 1967 to obtain a written military clearance. 

POLITICS

New decree tightens army’s grip on border city with Libya
The Egyptian cabinet issued an appendix to an earlier decree on Wednesday regarding the country’s political borders and tightening military control on the border with Libya. The addition to the November 2014 decree requires residents who moved to the western border city of Salloum after 1967 to obtain a written military clearance. It maintains that the Armed Forces has the sole authority to guard the country’s political borders. The decision exempts residents who have inhabited the area before July 1967, granting them permanent residency in Salloum with the exception of al-Hadaba (Plateau), the area of the city closest to the border. These residents will need to have their IDs checked. [Egypt Independent, 2/26/2015]

COURTS

Egyptian prosecution imposes gag order on alleged police torture death
Egypt’s prosecutor-general on Thursday imposed a media gag order on the case of a lawyer who allegedly died after torture inside a police station in Cairo. In a statement, the prosecution said the decision was made to ensure the investigations into the case were secret. Earlier on Thursday the prosecution ordered the detention of two police officers for investigations into accusations that they killed Karim Hamdy inside a police station in Matariya. The officers belong to the interior ministry’s National Security Apparatus which is responsible for investigating terror-related crimes. [Ahram Online, 2/27/2015]

Egyptian court dismisses steel tycoon Ahmed Ezz appeal against elections ban
An Egyptian court has rejected the appeal of steel tycoon Ahmed Ezz against his disqualification from standing in the upcoming parliamentary elections, state news agency MENA reported Friday. An administrative court in the governorate of Menoufiya dismissed the appeal of Ezz, who was recently released from jail after serving a sentence for corruption, for failing to supply the necessary financial documents. [Ahram Online, 2/27/2015]

ECONOMY

Egypt could raise up to $2 billion in Eurobond issue
According to Egyptian finance minister, Egypt could raise as much as $2 billion through a Eurobond this year and expects economic growth of close to 7 percent in three years’ time. He clarified that a dollar-denominated Eurobond would be launched in June at the latest, but could come earlier. Talking about growth prospects, the minister confirmed he expected growth of at least 4 percent in the fiscal year ending in June, and predicted a return to higher growth in the medium term. [Reuters, 2/27/2015]

Also of Interest

  • Egypt’s Sawiris readies digital revamp for Euronews | Reuters
  • Egypt’s market losses EGP 4 billion in a week, EGX30 drops 1.6 percent | Egypt Independent
  • Petroleum Ministry cannot meet people’s need for gas cylinders | Egypt Independent
  • Cairo signs contract with French company for metro line | Ahram Online
  • Egypt turns to Europe for investment | The National

SOCIETY & MEDIA

Two injured as police clash with pro-Brotherhood marchers
Two people received injuries from birdshot on Friday when police and Muslim Brotherhood loyalists clashed in Giza, Al-Ahram reported.  Dozens of Brotherhood loyalists staged marches following Friday prayers in Faysal Street in Giza before police used teargas to disperse them. Forces also reportedly shot birdshot in the air, but two people were injured. Similar demonstrations took place in the Mediterranean city of Alexandria. [Ahram Online, 2/27/2015]

SECURITY

Senior police officer dies in Gaza tunnel collapse; Fayoum policeman killed in drive-by shooting
Egyptian security officials say a senior army officer, Lt. Col. Hussam Hamdi Abdel-Aziz, was killed and Maj. Ahmed Farouk Mustafa injured when a cross-border smuggling tunnel with the Gaza Strip collapsed after troops went into it to investigate. The officials say the tunnel was discovered on Friday in the Egyptian town of Rafah in northern Sinai. Meanwhile, the governorate of Fayoum was hit by a spate of five attacks. A policeman, Hassan Abdel-Hakam, 32, was killed and a 21-year-old conscript was injured when unknown assailants on a motorbike opened fire at a police checkpoint in Fayoum city. Another conscript was injured in an attack on a police station, while three other attacks were reported at different police locations across the governorate. A sound bomb was detonated near a police station in the northern city of Damietta on Friday. No casualties were reported. [AP, Ahram Online, 2/27/2015]

Popular Resistance Movement claims Giza blasts
An obscure group calling itself the Popular Resistance Movement claimed responsibility for a wave of explosions in Giza on Thursday which left one dead and at least nine injured. The new groups have no apparent ties to Egypt’s main extremist organizations, based in the North Sinai. The Popular Resistance Movement signaled that the bombings were intended to sabotage a government-sponsored investment conference scheduled for next month. In statements posted on social media, the group said it struck Vodafone Egypt “in response to Vodafone International’s announcement that it will participate in the conference to sell Egypt,” and Etisalat “in response to the United Arab Emirates contribution to supporting the coup.” The group claims to have cells in the province of Minya and elsewhere but it is most active in Giza. [NYT, 2/26/2015]

Also of Interest

  • Seven alleged brotherhood members arrested for inciting violence in different cities | EGYNews (Arabic)
  • Eighteen Brotherhood affiliates arrested over violence charges in Minya | EGYNews (Arabic)
  • Three bombs targeting electricity pylons detonated in Qalyubiya | EGYNews (Arabic)
  • Security sources say child killed by stray bullet in Rafah | Aswat Masriya (Arabic)
  • Explosive device detonated in public park in al-Arish | EGYNews (Arabic)

INTERNATIONAL

Egypt, Jordan to form working group to counter regional challenges
Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and King Abdullah II of Jordan agreed in Cairo on Thursday to form a joint group to work on a framework for countering regional challenges, a presidential spokesman said in Cairo. During a close session, the two discussed concerted efforts in the “fight against terrorism,” a presidential statement said on Thursday. They also discussed the importance of “supporting Libya’s institutions and its national army.” [KUNA, SIS, DNE, 2/27/2015]

Also of Interest

  • Amal Clooney slams Canada over Al Jazeera journalist case | AFP, AP
  • Foreign Ministry: 25,529 Egyptians back from Libya | Aswat Masriya
  • Official says 2,063 Egyptians returned from Libya in last  24 hours | Shorouk (Arabic)
  • EgyptAir evacuates 247 Egyptians from Libya | EGYNews (Arabic)
  • Cairo hosts African Ministerial Conference on the Environment after thirty years | Egypt Independent
  • Egypt suspends Salloum border fees | Libya Herald
  • Egypt Islamic body condemns ISIS heritage destruction | AFP
  • Egyptian, Libyan defense ministers discuss military cooperation | Shorouk (Arabic)