HM the King invited to attend new Suez Canal inauguration

Manama

 His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa has been invited by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to attend the inauguration of the new Suez Canal in August.

 During HM the King’s meeting with Egyptian Ambassador to Bahrain Issam Saleh Awad at Al-Safriya Palace, an invitation letter from President el-Sisi was handed over to HM the King. The message also dealt with the deep-rooted historic and fraternal relations bonding the two countries and the people. 

 The Ambassador conveyed to HM the King greetings from the Egyptian leader, who wished Bahrain and its people further progress and prosperity.

 HM the King expressed thanks and appreciation for the invitation. On the occasion, lauding strong Bahraini-Egyptian relations, HM the King stressed the Kingdom's keenness on consolidating joint ties for the sake of mutual interests.

He also wished Egypt and its people further progress and prosperity.

 Finishing line

 Meanwhile, speaking to the state television, Mohab Mamesh, head of the Canal Authority informed that on Sunday, 97.2 per cent of the project was completed.

Workers have finished dredging of a total of 250 million square metres for the new route, as well as the digging of 70 million square metres in the expansion of the Ballah Bypass on the western edge of the canal.

The Bypass's width is now 312 metres, compared to a previous 61 metres. World leaders will also attend the opening of the flagship project of President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi's economic programme.

The mega-project to expand the Suez Canal, alongside plans to build an industrial hub and a supply and logistics centre in the vicinity of the canal, are at the heart of El-Sisi's development plans.

The Suez Canal is the first canal that directly links the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea. It was opened for navigation on November 17, 1869. Egypt nationalised the canal on July 26, 1956.

The Canal was closed five times; the last time was the most serious one since it lasted for eight years. The Canal was then reopened for navigation on June 5, 1975.