Government gearing up for New Suez Canal inauguration

Counting down to August 6, the Egyptian government is head over heels in preparation for the inauguration ceremony of the New Suez Canal.

Heads of state of most world countries will be attending the big event, said Major General Kamel el Wazir, the chief of staff of the Armed Forces' Engineering Authority, in an interview with MENA.

Their flights will land at airstrips that will be established particularly for the purpose, Wazir said, adding that there will also be three presidential platforms.

Marinas will also be built to receive guests who will be ferried from the old to the new canal, Wazir said.

Mural paintings depicting the digging of the old and new waterways will be placed opposite the platforms, he added.

The ceremony will take place in the Canal city of Ismailia and will be attended by world leaders who support Egypt and are peace lovers themselves, Wazir further said.

President Abdel Fattah El Sisi has invited many world leaders to the ceremony. All Arab and European leaders have received invitations, Wazir said.

Also attending the event will be Egyptian and foreign businessmen and representatives of all companies that contributed to digging and dredging operations, Wazir said, adding that a number of workers will also be present.

A festivity will be held on the eastern shore of the New Suez Canal, he told MENA, adding that celebrations will last through the night.

He talked about a big show that will be performed in the western area of the canal.

All segments of the Egyptian society will take part in the celebrations, Wazir said.

Wazir made it clear that pilot navigation in the new waterway will start once dredging operations are over.

About 250 cubic meters of dry and water-saturated sand have so far been dredged, Wazir said.