PRESIDENT Abdel Fattah El Sisi has highlighted the role of awareness and accurate understanding in modern warfare, emphasising that fourth and fifth generation wars do not exclusively rely on weaponry but involve awareness and accurate understanding as well.
In statements to a Military Academy ceremony marking the graduation of a new batch of officers on Monday, President Sisi paid tribute to the martyrs of the Armed Forces and the Police for having sacrificed their lives for the sake of the homeland, adding that personnel of both services continue to offer sacrifices.
He expressed congratulations to the fresh graduates of military colleges and institutes and stressed that defending Egypt and its people is the mission of the Armed Forces and Police; hence the huge responsibility that the graduate officers will bear to protect their homeland.
President Sisi wished the new graduates success as they approach in a new stage in their career, noting in this context the efforts that have been made to qualify them for joining the Armed Forces and calling upon them to pursue career qualification. “We have made every effort for your preparation at military colleges; and now you are duty-bound to complete qualification and preparation, the president told the new graduates.
Emphasising the importance of the new stage that the junior officers will pass through, President said they will be responsible for guarding the nation as well as for preparing and raising the awareness of those who will serve under their command.
He also lauded the families that have offered, and continue to offer, cadets in the interest of Egypt’s security and safety. The sons of Egypt spend several years in the army; hence the state’s responsibility to prepare and qualify them for the task lying ahead, President Sisi said.
Hailing and paying special tribute to the Armed Forces and Police martyrs, President Sisi called for upholding memory of those martyrs and the injured for having made sacrifices for the sake of protecting the nation.
Kick-starting yesterday’s ceremony was an air show that also marked the country’s celebrations of the 48th anniversary of the October 1973 victory. Following the air show, military college cadets displayed athletic skills that reflected advanced physical fitness and team spirit.
The cadets then made a demonstration of bike riding skills, close combat arts and self defence techniques. A group of winners of Tokyo Olympic medals also took part in the parade.
Lines of cadets of the military academy, the air defence college, the navy college, the military technical college and the Armed Forces faculty of medicine that marched past the presidential stage as a military band played Hail the Martyr tune. The ceremony and parade came to a close with the playing of the national anthem.
