Delegations from 121 states to attend New Suez Canal opening

Bahrain TV will broadcast live the inauguration of the new Suez Canal

Manama

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi will today inaugurate the new Suez Canal, ‘Egypt's gift to the world’, as he had branded it, at a broad ceremony to be attended by a large number of leaders from various nations, amid planned extraordinary security precautions.

Among the top leaders to be attending the major event is His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the Emir of Kuwait Al-Sabah, who will be accompanied by a delegation of ranking officials. Delegations from over 121 countries are expected to participate in the inauguration ceremony. Egyptians and concerned nations are looking forward to the opening of this major installation, which had been built in the record short time of approximately one year, with Egyptians' funding.

The event has cast a joyful atmosphere across the nation. The Egyptian president, during the hours' long ceremony, is due to sign a document signaling the starting of operation of the new canal. He will then address the audience and officially announce the opening of the Canal, which will be the second man-made water passageway, parallel to the old one.

Admiral Mohab Mamish, Chairman of the Canal Authority, said the celebration would include parades by the air and naval forces, also showcasing newly-acquired arms and large military pieces, namely FREMM frigates, the French-made fighter jets Rafale and the American-fabricated warplanes, F-16.

It will begin with the president ascending the yacht "El-Mahrousa," built in in 1863. It was the first warship at the time to cross the Suez Canal -- with hosted king and princes on board. Al-Ismailiyah Governor Major General Yassin Taher said in a statement that two flotillas would sail simultaneously through the two canals with the ships sounding their blares.

The Bahrain TV will broadcast live the inauguration of the new Suez Canal, which will be attended by Arab and foreign leaders. Bahrain TV will also broadcast on Saturday at 10 PM a musical concert in tribute to iconic Egyptian singer Om Kalthoum marking the 40th anniversary of her death. Bahrain radio station has also concocted a string of special programmes highlighting deep-rooted historic, political and economic relations bonding Bahrain and Egypt.