Egypt opens naval base near Libyan border
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi inaugurates large naval base 135km from border with Libya.
Egypt has inaugurated a new naval base in a ceremony attended by Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan and Libya’s unity president.
Cairo said the base will help it protect strategic and economic interests as well as helping it police irregular migration.
The base spans 10 square kilometres and has a 1,000 metre naval quay with a depth of 14 metres. There are also quays for commercial shipping.
Egypt’s eastern border became a security concern after Libya slid into turmoil in 2011 after Colonel Muammar Gaddafi was deposed.
