Sisi’s iftar coverage

CAIRO- 22 June, 2017: Arab and international media covered remarks made by President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi during the Egyptian family iftar ceremony held at one of Cairo’s hotels on Tuesday.

Sky News Arabia channel focused on Sisi’s economic decisions, most importantly the increase of the ration card value from LE 21 to LE 50 (From $ 1.16 to $ 2.76). News reports and articles published on Sky News Arabia praised Sisi’s decision to increase pensions and to suspend some taxes.

Moscow-based Russia Today focused on Sisi’s comments regarding the Maritime Demarcation Agreement with Saudi Arabia. “President Sisi noted he does not fear anybody and Egypt respects laws and follows only facts not illusions,” Russia's Today said on Wednesday.

U.S. Al-Hurrah channel tackled Sisi’s economic decisions, saying normal citizens will benefit from them.

Reuters and the Independent Magazine also wrote about Sisi’s economic decisions.

Sisi is under pressure to balance IMF-austerity reforms to fix Egypt's economy while limiting the financial impact on poorer Egyptians who are key to re-electing him for a second term in next year's presidential election.

"The social package, which will benefit more than 90 percent of citizens will, as announced by the president, include an increase in monthly food subsidies," Reuters quoted the finance ministry on Wednesday.