Armed Forces complete measures for securing canal inauguration

The Armed Forces said all measures for securing the new Suez Canal project celebration were completed in cooperation with the Interior Ministry.

In a statement, the Armed Forces said security measures were tightened at east of the canal as Second Field Army forces imposed a security cordon in the vicinity of the new canal, where combat troops were heavily deployed.

Mobile and fixed patrols on main roads and corridors in east and west of both the old and new canals were carried out in coordination with the civil police to arrest suspects and prevent criminals from sneaking into the celebration site, the statement said.

Combat units of the Third Field Army tightened security measures at the navigation line of the Suez Canal and stepped up measures at all security points in central and south Sinai, it added.

Defense Minister Sedqi Sobhi had ordered preparing well-trained combat groups from the Third Field Army, paratroops, commandos and rapid intervention forces for the security operation, it added.

The forces had started moving to reach the planned deployment areas to be a close backup for police and army security units.

Elements from the naval, air and border guard forces will also be participating in securing the canal.

The inauguration ceremony of the new canal project will take place on Thursday.