The Suez Canal is more than a waterway in Egypt, as it has been considered a symbol of Egypt’s modern history since its establishment in 1805, General Coordinator of the National Dialogue and Head of the State Information Service (SIS) Diaa Rashwan said Friday.
The Canal is subject to campaigns, rumors, and lies intended at influencing Egyptians’ emotions, he added in televised statements.
The Suez Canal Authority issued a statement refuting circulated document about contracting with a company to operate its services, Rashwan said.
According to the falsified paper, an agreement was reached with a non-Arab country in the region to allow a company to run the Suez Canal for 99 years, he added.
No. 99 suggests the re-occupation of the Suez Canal by foreign forces, Rashwan said.
Whoever picked the number 99 clearly intends to evoke bitter memories of the Suez Canal concession contract for shareholders (France and Britain) for 99 years, he noted.
According to Rashwan, the publications are phony and forged, and the counterfeiters made various errors, including the supposed signatures of a first party representing the Suez Canal Authority Fund, despite the fact that the fund’s statute has not yet been released.
The signature of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi as director of the fund was also forged, despite the fact that the fund was supposed to be directed by Lieutenant General Osama Rabie, according to the statute that was initially approved by the House of Representatives, he added.
The fake paper also had a witness signature of Moustafa Kamal Madbouli Nassar; the Prime Minister’s full name, he noted, whereas the official who testifies on such documents should be the President, not the Prime Minister.
