Aboul Gheit at army symposium: Egypt yields historic leaders; Sisi met the state's rescue challenge

Aboul Gheit addressed the 44th Armed Forces cultural symposium in the presence of President Sisi, marking the 53rd anniversary of the October War.

• The armed forces' 44th cultural symposium convened at the New Administrative Capital's strategic command, attended by President Sisi and senior officials.
• Aboul Gheit said Egypt's people and armed forces saved the country in the October 1973 war and during the June 30 events.
• Aboul Gheit recounted Henry Kissinger telling him that Egypt always produces historic leaders, citing Gamal Abdel Nasser and Anwar Sadat.
• Aboul Gheit said Sisi's Asian tour showed Egypt's standing and that the country should emulate the Asian tiger development models of Malaysia and Indonesia.
• Sisi said Egypt's fourteen-year war against terrorism cost the state more than $120 billion in addition to martyrs' sacrifices.
• Sisi said he had predicted the Muslim Brotherhood would come to power after January 2011 but would not last long.
• Sisi said the constitution approved by Egyptians would not be touched by anyone.
• Aboul Gheit said he wished Kissinger had lived to see Egypt's transformations and add Sisi to his list of historic leaders.
• Aboul Gheit said Egypt adopted an integrated strategy of military force and diplomacy to reclaim Sinai, citing a 1967 UN resolution.
• Sisi's symposium remarks addressed national security, border protection, health and education development, and economic reform.
• Aboul Gheit said Egypt's infrastructure expansion in roads, tunnels, healthcare, and universities reflects its modernization plans.
• Parliament member Reza Abdel Salam praised Sisi's constitution statement as a step in the right direction.