Egypt’s ministry of foreign affairs rebuked Israel and Palestinian factions on Friday for failing to come to terms on an extension of the 72-hour ceasefire that expired early this morning, reported the state-owned Middle East News Agency (MENA).

POLITICS

Sabbahi announces he ‘won’t run’ for parliament
Leftist politician Hamdeen Sabahi said on a television program on Thursday night that he will not run in the upcoming parliamentary elections. Speaking to host Mahmoud Saad on private satellite channel Al Nahar, the former presidential candidate also criticized some of the groups intending to contest the elections, including parties founded by former presidential candidates, Amr Moussa and Ahmed Shafiq, as representing the era before the January 25 revolution in 2011. [Ahram Online, Aswat Masriya (Arabic), 8/8/2014]

 

Also of Interest:

 

COURTS 

Prosecution insists Mubarak ordered protesters’ deaths in retrial closing arguments 
In the closing arguments of former President Hosni Mubarak’s retrial on Thursday, the general prosecution maintained that the ousted president and his Interior Minister Habib al-Adly ordered protesters’ deaths in the 2011 uprising that led to his downfall. Peaceful protesters were systematically killed in 12 governorates using the same violent tactics security forces had employed to try to prevent them from demonstrating, the prosecution contended. The prosecution also dismissed the defense’s argument that the police were deployed to protect the protesters, and only killed those who attacked public institutions. The prosecution’s investigations also implicated Mubarak in financial corruption, namely the illegal possession of five villas in Sharm al-Sheikh. [Mada Masr, Al-Ahram (Arabic), 8/7/2014]

 

Also of Interest:

 

ECONOMY

Egypt government allocates EGP 3.9 billion for subsidized ration card commodities
Minister of Finance Hani Kadry announced in a statement the allocation of EGP 3.9 billion ($550 million) to provide the required primary subsidized commodities. The government approved an additional EGP 7 allocation per person at the ration cards during the month of Ramadan in addition to the defined EGP 15 already included in the system. [Cairo Post, 8/8/2014]

 

Also of Interest:

  • Egypt’s trade deficit falls for ninth consecutive month | Ahram Online
  • Egypt’s stocks end week in green on investor confidence | Ahram Online
  • Stock market continues to rise, earns EGP 3.2 billion | Egypt Independent, SIS, Aswat Masriya (Arabic)
  • Egypt foreign reserves rise to $16.736 billion at end of July | Aswat Masriya
  • Economic advisor: Suez Canal project will increase commercial navigation | Shorouk (Arabic)
  • Chairman of Suez Canal Authority announces details of development project | SIS, Al-Ahram (Arabic)
  • Egypt minister looks to China for technical education cooperation | Xinhua

 

SOCIETY & MEDIA

‘Positive step, but not enough’: Women’s groups react to Tahrir sexual assault verdict
Anti-sexual harassment campaigns in Egypt said Thursday’s verdict sentencing two men to life in jail and another to 20 years for sexual assault is a “good step” on the long road to combating sexual violence, but that more needs to be done to put an end to a growing problem. Women rights advocate Mozn Hassan said the verdict is “just the beginning.” She said the government has responded to the group’s calls to combat sexual harassment by meeting with Mervat al-Talawy, head of the National Council for Women, and other rights groups’ representatives to discuss a national strategic plan to combat violence against women. [Ahram Online, 8/7/2014]

Brotherhood supporters plan “Retribution Revolution” on August 14 
The National Alliance to Support Legitimacy (NASL) has called on its supporters to take to the streets on the first anniversary of the dispersal of the Raba’a al-Adaweya and Nahda sit-ins, under the banner of “Retribution Revolution.” According to Ahram Weekly, the call has been met with counter demands, mainly from Brotherhood dissidents, for NASL members to attend a dialogue, to be held on August 9, which will promote national unity. The interior ministry has announced that it is on “high alert” in anticipation of the protests. Brotherhood supporters rallied in Alexandria on Friday commemorating the Raba’a anniversary, while similar protests in Minya were dispersed by security forces. In Kafr al-Sheikh, where security forces had stepped up their presence in anticipation of rallies, protesters condemned Israeli attacks on Gaza, as well as price increases in Egypt. In Daqahliya, Brotherhood protests focused on demanding the release of detainees as well as calling for Morsi’s return. Clashes broke out between Morsi’s supporters and security forces in Giza, while in Beni Suef, five protesters were arrested. [Ahram Weekly, 8/8/2014]

 

Also of Interest:

  • Giza governorate to begin new bread system | EGYNews (Arabic)
  • Aswan is first province to apply new system of health insurance | Shorouk (Arabic)
  • Minister of higher education meets with security leaders to discuss preparations for school year | Ahram Gateway (Arabic)

 

SECURITY

Eleven extremists killed and three tunnels destroyed in crackdown on Sinai 
Eleven extremists were killed on Friday in a wide-scale security crackdown on Sinai, state-run MENA agency reported. Three tunnels were also demolished, one vehicle confiscated, and eleven houses and twelve shacks demolished in the security campaign to clear the areas of al-Arish, Sheikh Zuweid, and Rafah of terrorists, the source added. Necessary legal procedures to notify Egypt’s public prosecutor were also taken. [Aswat Masriya, EGYNews (Arabic), Shorouk (Arabic), 8/8/2014]

 

Also of Interest:

  • Security forces foil attempt by six Sudanese to sneak into Israel through Rafah | Shorouk (Arabic)
  • Brotherhood members in Fayoum, Beni Suef, Minya, Giza and Qena arrested for assaulting police station | Shorouk (Arabic)
  • Defense minister: Sinai on cusp of stability | Al-Ahram (Arabic)

 

INTERNATIONAL

Egypt rebukes Israel, Palestine for refusing ceasefire extension
Egypt’s ministry of foreign affairs rebuked Israel and Palestinian factions on Friday for failing to come to terms on an extension of the 72-hour ceasefire that expired early this morning, reported the state-owned Middle East News Agency (MENA). Israel launched air strikes across the Gaza Strip on Friday in response to Palestinian rockets fired after the talks failed to extend the truce. Hamas officials said they are ready to continue talks, but Israel’s government spokesman said Israel will not negotiate under fire. The foreign ministry expressed “extreme regret” over the failure to extend the truce, urging restraint by both sides and calling for a new ceasefire to resume negotiations. The ministry claimed the majority of the Palestinians’ demands and needs had been met. Only a few unresolved issues remained, which should have impelled both parties to accept an extension of the temporary ceasefire in order to finalize the negotiations, the statement argued. Meanwhile, Egyptian intelligence chief General Mohamed al-Tuhami met for the third time on Thursday with the Palestinian delegation visiting Cairo for talks on the ceasefire. Foreign minister Sameh Shoukry received a phone call on Thursday evening from his British counterpart Philip Hammond to discuss the latest developments in Gaza. [Reuters, Aswat Masriya (Arabic), The Guardian, SIS, 8/8/2014]

Sisi to visit Saudi Arabia, Russia, next week
Egypt’s President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi will visit Saudi Arabia on Sunday, Egypt’s ambassador to the kingdom Afifi Abdel-Wahab said on Thursday. Sisi will meet King Abdullah in Jeddah for talks that will include the latest developments in the region and bilateral relations between the two countries, Abdel-Wahab told Al-Ahram. Sisi is also paying an official visit to Russia on August 12 according to a statement issued by the Kremlin in Russia on Thursday, adding that Sisi and Putin discussed the visit over the phone and tackled the recent developments in the Middle East. [Ahram Online, Aswat Masriya, SIS, Al-Ahram (Arabic), 8/7/2014]

Also of Interest:

  • Egyptian, UAE aid enters Gaza via Rafah | Ahram Online, Aswat Masriya, SIS
  • Rafah crossing continues to receive wounded Palestinians | EGYNews (Arabic), Shorouk (Arabic), AMAY (Arabic)
  • Newly appointed British ambassador arrives in Egypt | Aswat Masriya
  • Tunisia-Egypt airlift still working to transport fleeing nationals | SIS, Al-Ahram (Arabic)
  • 77,000 Egyptians return from Libya since July | AMAY (Arabic)
  • Minister: Egypt and Nigeria form joint business council to promote trade | SIS
  • Egypt’s ambassador in Ukraine advises Egyptian students to postpone studies | Ahram Gateway (Arabic)