Monday, January 25, 2016

Egyptian Army, Police Secure Vital Facilities Ahead of 25 January
Ahram Online
Saturday 23 Jan 2016

The Egyptian military was deployed on Friday to assist the police in securing state institutions and vital facilities, the Egyptian army said in a statement, ahead of the anniversary of the 2011 revolution.

The official army spokesman said that the military had been dispatched to aid the interior ministry's security apparatus in protecting citizens and securing vital facilities, including main roads in Greater Cairo and other parts of the country.

"Preparations have been raised for all commissioned forces with an understanding of their missions that involve securing state facilities and public and private property, as well as dealing with the possible hostilities and threats that affect the security of citizens. There is a full coordination between the military and police to counter any attempt to break the law and affect the country's security and stability," the statement read.

In Greater Cairo, army patrols and rapid deployment forces have been mobilised.

A military battlegroup assigned to the northern region was also dispatched to Alexandria and other governorates to secure vital facilities.

The army said that the air force and border guards are to secure the country's borders, to stop the “infiltration of criminals and outlaws through borders.”

In Sinai, the army said it will continue its comprehensive “Martyr's Right” operation, the largest and most comprehensive operation aimed at combating and killing militants in North Sinaisince July 2015.

The preparations come ahead of the fifth anniversary of the 25 January revolution which toppled long-time autocrat Hosni Mubarak.

Several calls for protests to mark the day have been made on social media, but it remains unclear whether such calls will materialise into demonstrations, which are illegal without prior police permission.

Police have also reportedly conducted door-to-door raids of dozens of apartments in downtown Cairo ahead of the anniversary, questioning occupants about their political activities.

Government officials have warned citizens against protesting on the day. In December, President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi questioned the calls for protests.

"Do you wish to destroy your country and the people? Look at the countries whose names I do not wish to recall; they have been suffering for the past 30 years," El-Sisi said.

http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/185738.aspx

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