'Sentimental' day as new Suez Canal extension opens
Egypt is unveiling a major extension of the Suez Canal on Thursday, a megaproject that has emerged as a cornerstone of President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi's efforts to restore national pride and revive the economy after years of unrest.
The government was hoping for a historic moment on Thursday, when it opens an $8.5 billion extension of the waterway funded entirely by Egyptians, without foreign aid. Media and government supporters across the board have breathlessly repeated the same message - after four years of strife and the overthrow of two presidents, Egypt is back.
"Our culture can be very sentimental, and this was the first time Egyptians have been so galvanized," said Adel Beshai, professor of economics at American University in Cairo. "It was a brilliant idea by el-Sissi - the Egyptians now own the canal."
