Libya's Al-Menfi, UAE's bin Zayed Attend Inauguration of '3rd of July Naval Base' in Egypt

On Saturday, the head of Libya's Presidential Council, Mohamed Al-Menfi and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces attended the inauguration of the ''3rd of July Naval Base'', located in Gargoub area in the country’s northwest coast by Egypt’s President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi.

The duo congratulated President El-Sisi, the government, and the people of Egypt on the inauguration of the vital military base, wishing Egypt further progress and prosperity.

"The naval base will safeguard Egypt’s economic capabilities, secure shipping routes, and maintain maritime security by using combat groups from land military units, submarines, and air forces," Egyptian presidential spokesman Bassam Rady said in a statement.

During the opening ceremony, commander of the Egyptian Navy Lieutenant General Ahmed Khaled said the base is part of the overall development strategy for the Armed Forces.

“The base is a message of peace and development for the entire region,” he stressed.

He added that the Egyptian state implements a comprehensive plan to achieve development after achieving victory over terrorism, against the forces of extremism and terrorism with weapons of thought and comprehensive development.

"The new base took its name from a history associated with eliminating the motives of hateful terrorism and moving towards development and progress, including the tangible interest in the sea after the 30 June Revolution," the navy commander said.

Khaled stressed that the base will help protect navigation in the Suez Canal and confront illegal immigration.

"The new base will be witnessing the military drill "Qader 2021" on Saturday," Khaled said.

The "3rd of July" base represents a new addition to Egypt’s naval bases system, according to the presidency statement, as part of the comprehensive development plan for the Navy Forces.

Through the development plan, the naval bases will act as providers of logistical support for the Egyptian troops in the Red and Mediterranean seas to confront any challenges and threats that may exist in the region, as well as combating the smuggling and illegal immigration, the presidential spokesman noted.