New section of Suez Canal opens

Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said Monday that Egypt is capable of protecting the new waterway that runs alongside the existing canal.    Several ships transited a new portion of the Suez Canal on Saturday ahead of its formal inauguration on August 6.
   According to an article from the Middle East News Agency posted on the website of Egypt’s State Information Service, “The first experimental operation of the passage of vessels at New Suez Canal started Saturday in the presence of head of the Suez Canal Authority Mohab Mamish and a host of senior officials at the authority.”
   Three big commercial vessels crossed the new canal with the aim to examine its depth and know guide zones along the waterway, Mamish told the news agency. He said his hope was the $4 billion project would be a precursor other projects.
   In July, Egypt arrested 13 persons, reportedly members of the Muslim Brotherhood, saying they had installed explosives around the Suez Canal in an attempt to disrupt commercial shipping.
   Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said Monday Egypt is capable of protecting the new waterway that runs alongside the existing canal.