By Mona Sheshter and Ragheb Shawki
CAIRO, Aug 5 (KUNA) -- Egyptian President Abdelfattah Al-Sisi will inaugurate on Thursday 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 Highness the Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, who will be accompanied by a delegation of ranking officials.
Egyptians and concerned nations await to witness opening of this major installation, which had been built in record short time, 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 start of operating the new canal, then he will address a speech announcing its opening, to 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. A documentary will be screened about digging work, in addition to diverse folkloric and artistic and musical shows.
Public places in the nation's governorates have been adorned for the major event.
Lieutenant General Mahmoud Hegazi, the Egyptian Army Chief of Staff, has inspected security precautions at the site of the planned celebration.
President Sisi has praised the gigantic project saying it would be followed with other ventures of similar significance in the near future, as part of the national development strategy.
The new 72-km-long new canal had already witnessed testing navigation. It is shorter than the previous one which stretches for 190 kms. The armed forces had overseen, in coordination with the Suez Canal Authority, the construction and digging works.
The new canal is forecast to increase proceeds from the man-made routes by 259 percent, reaching USD 13.2 billion, by 2023, as compared to the current revenues, estimated at USD 5.3 billion. Number of navigating ships will swell to 97 per day.
The old canal, inaugurated in 1869, was nationalized by the late leader, Gamal Abdel-Nasser in July 1959. The 1967 war led to its closure for eight years until the late president, Anwar Al-Sadat, re-opened it in June 1975.
The new canal, a new route of the global network of water passageways, is forecast to facilitate global navigation and boost international trade. (end) ms.rg.rk