Egyptian president makes speech as Cairo in lockdown

Egyptian president makes speech as Cairo in lockdown

Egypt's president Abdel Fattah El Sisi has been speaking in the country's parliament, the first such presidential address since the Tahrir Square uprising five years ago. El Sisi told MPs he sees hope for Egypt's future, even with downtown Cairo locked down for much of the day.

Unprecedented security in central Cairo, Any road that led anywhere near to Parliament was blocked.

Security measure were so extreme that car parks and bus stations like this one which is around two kilometers away from the parliament were blocked from vehicles, In case of any possible security threat.

It's the stark reality of Egypt in 2016. President Abdel Fattah El Sisi promised improved security when he took power - but there's an ever-present threat of terror attacks these days. Bombings in Cairo are common.

Still, inside Parliament the president received a warm reception. The vast majority of politicians here - support him. And he took the opportunity - to give a message of hope.

"The challenges this nation faces, makes our concerns and fears legitimate. But the unprecedented achievements that happened with the will of Egyptians makes hope an inevitable issue and national duty," El Sisi said.

El Sisi highlighted the development projects achieved since his predecessor was ousted in 2013. He vowed to continue the fight against terrorism  and to support political solutions in countries such as Libya and Syria.

"Egypt's message to the world has always been that of peace and love. We will not rest save efforts to reach political solutions to the crisis in Syria, Libya and Yemen. And achieve a fair and comprehensive peace for the Palestinian Crisis. Which was and still is the crisis of Egyptian people," El Sisi said.

"Therefore from this parliament, I renew Egypt's calls to the world to unify efforts to battle terrorism which has become the biggest threat to humanity."

El Sisi touched briefly on the events of January 2011, saying Egypt had narrowly escaped a conspiracy that would have led to the sort of trouble Libya now faces. He urged Egyptians to unite against elements that could again destabilise the country.