Midtown Blogger/Manhattan Valley Follies: Egypt Unveils Suez Extension

Egypt unveils Suez Canal extension with pomp-filled ceremony

The Associated Press - By By BRIAN ROHAN and HAMZA HENDAWI - Associated Press

42 minutes ago

A firework display closes out the opening ceremony of the new section of the Suez Canal in Ismailia, Egypt, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. With much pomp and fanfare, Egypt on Thursday unveiled a major extension of the Suez Canal whose patron, President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, has billed as an historic achievement needed to boost the country’s ailing economy after years of unrest. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

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In this picture provided by the office of the Egyptian Presidency, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, right, chats with Jordan's King Abdullah II following a ceremony unveiling a major extension of the Suez Canal in Ismailia, Egypt, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. El-Sissi has billed the extension as an historic achievement needed to boost the country’s ailing economy after years of unrest. (Egyptian Presidency via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT

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Egyptian air force planes parade over a statue representing a man digging the new section of the Suez Canal in Ismailia, Egypt, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. With much pomp and fanfare, Egypt on Thursday unveiled a major extension of the Suez Canal whose patron, President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, has billed as an historic achievement needed to boost the country’s ailing economy after years of unrest. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

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A cargo container ship crosses the new section of the Suez Canal after the opening ceremony in Ismailia, Egypt, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. With much pomp and fanfare, Egypt on Thursday unveiled a major extension of the Suez Canal whose patron, President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, has billed as an historic achievement needed to boost the country’s ailing economy after years of unrest. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

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People celebrate the new Suez Canal opening while gathering around Tahrir Square in downtown Cairo, Egypt, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. With much pomp and fanfare, Egypt on Thursday unveiled a major extension of the Suez Canal billed by its patron, President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi as a historic achievement needed to boost the country's ailing economy after years of unrest. (Ahmed Abd El-Latif/El Shorouk newspaper via AP)

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An army zodiac secures the entrance of the new section of the Suez Canal in Ismailia, Egypt, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. Egypt on Thursday will unveil a major extension of the Suez Canal that President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi has billed as an historic achievement needed to boost the country's ailing economy after years of unrest. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)

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Egyptians wear Pharaonic costumes as they march in front of a statue representing a man digging the new section of the Suez Canal in Ismailia, Egypt, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. With much pomp and fanfare, Egypt on Thursday unveiled a major extension of the Suez Canal whose patron, President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, has billed as an historic achievement needed to boost the country’s ailing economy after years of unrest. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

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Egyptian air force planes parade in front of a statue representing a man digging during the inauguration ceremony of the new section of the Suez Canal in Ismailia, Egypt, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. With much pomp and fanfare, Egypt on Thursday unveiled a major extension of the Suez Canal whose patron, President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, has billed as an historic achievement needed to boost the country’s ailing economy after years of unrest. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)

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Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, waves as he arrives to the opening ceremony of the new section of the Suez Canal in Ismailia, Egypt, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. With much pomp and fanfare, Egypt on Thursday unveiled a major extension of the Suez Canal whose patron, President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, has billed as an historic achievement needed to boost the country’s ailing economy after years of unrest. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

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Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, waves as he arrives to the opening ceremony of the new section of the Suez Canal in Ismailia, Egypt, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. With much pomp and fanfare, Egypt on Thursday unveiled a major extension of the Suez Canal whose patron, President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, has billed as an historic achievement needed to boost the country’s ailing economy after years of unrest. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

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An Egyptian woman holds a small boat as she and other Egyptian's celebrate the new Suez Canal opening in Tahrir square in Cario, Egypt, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. Egypt unveiled on Thursday a major extension of the Suez Canal that President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi has billed as an historic achievement needed to boost the country's ailing economy after years of unrest. (AP Photo/Mohamed Hossam)

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Egyptian army planes trace a heart during the opening ceremony of the new section of the Suez Canal in Ismailia, Egypt, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. With much pomp and fanfare, Egypt on Thursday unveiled a major extension of the Suez Canal whose patron, President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, has billed as an historic achievement needed to boost the country’s ailing economy after years of unrest. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

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Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, waves as he arrives to the opening ceremony of the new section of the Suez Canal in Ismailia, Egypt, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. With much pomp and fanfare, Egypt on Thursday unveiled a major extension of the Suez Canal whose patron, President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, has billed as an historic achievement needed to boost the country’s ailing economy after years of unrest. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)

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An Egyptian special forces soldier stands guard during the opening ceremony of the new section of the Suez Canal in Ismailia, Egypt, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. With much pomp and fanfare, Egypt on Thursday unveiled a major extension of the Suez Canal whose patron, President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, has billed as an historic achievement needed to boost the country’s ailing economy after years of unrest. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

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In this picture provided by the office of the Egyptian Presidency, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, center, waves from a monarchy-era yacht that sailed to the venue of a ceremony unveiling a major extension of the Suez Canal in Ismailia, Egypt, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. El-Sissi has billed the extension as an historic achievement needed to boost the country’s ailing economy after years of unrest. (Egyptian Presidency via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT

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Egyptian air force planes parade with the national flag colors during the inauguration ceremony of the new section of the Suez Canal in Ismailia, Egypt, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. With much pomp and fanfare, Egypt on Thursday unveiled a major extension of the Suez Canal whose patron, President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, has billed as an historic achievement needed to boost the country’s ailing economy after years of unrest. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)

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Egyptian soldiers stand near decorations marking the inauguration ceremony of the new section of the Suez Canal in Ismailia, Egypt, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. With much pomp and fanfare, Egypt on Thursday unveiled a major extension of the Suez Canal whose patron, President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, has billed as an historic achievement needed to boost the country’s ailing economy after years of unrest. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)

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Egyptian air force planes parade during the inauguration ceremony of the new section of the Suez Canal in Ismailia, Egypt, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. With much pomp and fanfare, Egypt on Thursday unveiled a major extension of the Suez Canal whose patron, President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, has billed as an historic achievement needed to boost the country’s ailing economy after years of unrest. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)

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Egyptian special forces soldiers stand guard during the opening ceremony of the new section of the Suez Canal in Ismailia, Egypt, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. With much pomp and fanfare, Egypt on Thursday unveiled a major extension of the Suez Canal whose patron, President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, has billed as an historic achievement needed to boost the country’s ailing economy after years of unrest. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)

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In this picture provided by the office of the Egyptian Presidency, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi smiles at a boy dressed in a tiny military uniform as he waves the national flag from a monarchy-era yacht that sailed to the venue of a ceremony unveiling a major extension of the Suez Canal in Ismailia, Egypt, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. El-Sissi has billed the extension as an historic achievement needed to boost the country’s ailing economy after years of unrest. (Egyptian Presidency via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT

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Egyptians wave the national flag in front of a military vehicle to celebrate the Suez Canal opening in Tahrir square, Cairo, Egypt. Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. Egypt on Thursday will unveil a major extension of the Suez Canal that President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi has billed as an historic achievement needed to boost the country's ailing economy after years of unrest. (AP Photo/Hamada Elrasam)

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Egyptian army soldiers patrol the Cairo-Ismailia desert road in Egypt, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. Egypt is to unveil a major extension of the Suez Canal that el-Sissi has billed as a historic achievement that will boost the economy following years of unrest. Arabic on the army vehicle reads, "forces securing the inauguration ceremony of the new Suez canal." (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)

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A policeman stands alert under a billboard with the photo of Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi at the Cairo-Ismailia desert road in Egypt, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. Egypt is to unveil a major extension of the Suez Canal that el-Sissi has billed as a historic achievement that will boost the economy following years of unrest. Arabic reads, "long live Egypt, President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, opening of the new Suez canal." (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)

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A firework display closes out the opening ceremony of the new section of the Suez Canal in Ismailia, Egypt, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. With much pomp and fanfare, Egypt on Thursday unveiled a major extension of the Suez Canal whose patron, President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, has billed as an historic achievement needed to boost the country’s ailing economy after years of unrest. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

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In this picture provided by the office of the Egyptian Presidency, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, right, chats with Jordan's King Abdullah II following a ceremony unveiling a major extension of the Suez Canal in Ismailia, Egypt, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. El-Sissi has billed the extension as an historic achievement needed to boost the country’s ailing economy after years of unrest. (Egyptian Presidency via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT

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Egyptian air force planes parade over a statue representing a man digging the new section of the Suez Canal in Ismailia, Egypt, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. With much pomp and fanfare, Egypt on Thursday unveiled a major extension of the Suez Canal whose patron, President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, has billed as an historic achievement needed to boost the country’s ailing economy after years of unrest. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

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A cargo container ship crosses the new section of the Suez Canal after the opening ceremony in Ismailia, Egypt, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. With much pomp and fanfare, Egypt on Thursday unveiled a major extension of the Suez Canal whose patron, President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, has billed as an historic achievement needed to boost the country’s ailing economy after years of unrest. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

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People celebrate the new Suez Canal opening while gathering around Tahrir Square in downtown Cairo, Egypt, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. With much pomp and fanfare, Egypt on Thursday unveiled a major extension of the Suez Canal billed by its patron, President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi as a historic achievement needed to boost the country's ailing economy after years of unrest. (Ahmed Abd El-Latif/El Shorouk newspaper via AP)

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An army zodiac secures the entrance of the new section of the Suez Canal in Ismailia, Egypt, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. Egypt on Thursday will unveil a major extension of the Suez Canal that President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi has billed as an historic achievement needed to boost the country's ailing economy after years of unrest. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)

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Egyptians wear Pharaonic costumes as they march in front of a statue representing a man digging the new section of the Suez Canal in Ismailia, Egypt, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. With much pomp and fanfare, Egypt on Thursday unveiled a major extension of the Suez Canal whose patron, President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, has billed as an historic achievement needed to boost the country’s ailing economy after years of unrest. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

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Egyptian air force planes parade in front of a statue representing a man digging during the inauguration ceremony of the new section of the Suez Canal in Ismailia, Egypt, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. With much pomp and fanfare, Egypt on Thursday unveiled a major extension of the Suez Canal whose patron, President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, has billed as an historic achievement needed to boost the country’s ailing economy after years of unrest. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)

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Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, waves as he arrives to the opening ceremony of the new section of the Suez Canal in Ismailia, Egypt, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. With much pomp and fanfare, Egypt on Thursday unveiled a major extension of the Suez Canal whose patron, President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, has billed as an historic achievement needed to boost the country’s ailing economy after years of unrest. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

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Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, waves as he arrives to the opening ceremony of the new section of the Suez Canal in Ismailia, Egypt, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. With much pomp and fanfare, Egypt on Thursday unveiled a major extension of the Suez Canal whose patron, President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, has billed as an historic achievement needed to boost the country’s ailing economy after years of unrest. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

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An Egyptian woman holds a small boat as she and other Egyptian's celebrate the new Suez Canal opening in Tahrir square in Cario, Egypt, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. Egypt unveiled on Thursday a major extension of the Suez Canal that President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi has billed as an historic achievement needed to boost the country's ailing economy after years of unrest. (AP Photo/Mohamed Hossam)

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Egyptian army planes trace a heart during the opening ceremony of the new section of the Suez Canal in Ismailia, Egypt, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. With much pomp and fanfare, Egypt on Thursday unveiled a major extension of the Suez Canal whose patron, President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, has billed as an historic achievement needed to boost the country’s ailing economy after years of unrest. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

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Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, waves as he arrives to the opening ceremony of the new section of the Suez Canal in Ismailia, Egypt, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. With much pomp and fanfare, Egypt on Thursday unveiled a major extension of the Suez Canal whose patron, President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, has billed as an historic achievement needed to boost the country’s ailing economy after years of unrest. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)

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An Egyptian special forces soldier stands guard during the opening ceremony of the new section of the Suez Canal in Ismailia, Egypt, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. With much pomp and fanfare, Egypt on Thursday unveiled a major extension of the Suez Canal whose patron, President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, has billed as an historic achievement needed to boost the country’s ailing economy after years of unrest. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

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In this picture provided by the office of the Egyptian Presidency, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, center, waves from a monarchy-era yacht that sailed to the venue of a ceremony unveiling a major extension of the Suez Canal in Ismailia, Egypt, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. El-Sissi has billed the extension as an historic achievement needed to boost the country’s ailing economy after years of unrest. (Egyptian Presidency via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT

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Egyptian air force planes parade with the national flag colors during the inauguration ceremony of the new section of the Suez Canal in Ismailia, Egypt, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. With much pomp and fanfare, Egypt on Thursday unveiled a major extension of the Suez Canal whose patron, President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, has billed as an historic achievement needed to boost the country’s ailing economy after years of unrest. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)

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Egyptian soldiers stand near decorations marking the inauguration ceremony of the new section of the Suez Canal in Ismailia, Egypt, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. With much pomp and fanfare, Egypt on Thursday unveiled a major extension of the Suez Canal whose patron, President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, has billed as an historic achievement needed to boost the country’s ailing economy after years of unrest. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)

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Egyptian air force planes parade during the inauguration ceremony of the new section of the Suez Canal in Ismailia, Egypt, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. With much pomp and fanfare, Egypt on Thursday unveiled a major extension of the Suez Canal whose patron, President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, has billed as an historic achievement needed to boost the country’s ailing economy after years of unrest. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)

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Egyptian special forces soldiers stand guard during the opening ceremony of the new section of the Suez Canal in Ismailia, Egypt, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. With much pomp and fanfare, Egypt on Thursday unveiled a major extension of the Suez Canal whose patron, President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, has billed as an historic achievement needed to boost the country’s ailing economy after years of unrest. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)

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In this picture provided by the office of the Egyptian Presidency, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi smiles at a boy dressed in a tiny military uniform as he waves the national flag from a monarchy-era yacht that sailed to the venue of a ceremony unveiling a major extension of the Suez Canal in Ismailia, Egypt, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. El-Sissi has billed the extension as an historic achievement needed to boost the country’s ailing economy after years of unrest. (Egyptian Presidency via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT

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Egyptians wave the national flag in front of a military vehicle to celebrate the Suez Canal opening in Tahrir square, Cairo, Egypt. Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. Egypt on Thursday will unveil a major extension of the Suez Canal that President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi has billed as an historic achievement needed to boost the country's ailing economy after years of unrest. (AP Photo/Hamada Elrasam)

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Egyptian army soldiers patrol the Cairo-Ismailia desert road in Egypt, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. Egypt is to unveil a major extension of the Suez Canal that el-Sissi has billed as a historic achievement that will boost the economy following years of unrest. Arabic on the army vehicle reads, "forces securing the inauguration ceremony of the new Suez canal." (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)

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A policeman stands alert under a billboard with the photo of Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi at the Cairo-Ismailia desert road in Egypt, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. Egypt is to unveil a major extension of the Suez Canal that el-Sissi has billed as a historic achievement that will boost the economy following years of unrest. Arabic reads, "long live Egypt, President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, opening of the new Suez canal." (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)

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A firework display closes out the opening ceremony of the new section of the Suez Canal in Ismailia, Egypt, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. With much pomp and fanfare, Egypt on Thursday unveiled a major extension of the Suez Canal whose patron, President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, has billed as an historic achievement needed to boost the country’s ailing economy after years of unrest. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

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In this picture provided by the office of the Egyptian Presidency, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, right, chats with Jordan's King Abdullah II following a ceremony unveiling a major extension of the Suez Canal in Ismailia, Egypt, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. El-Sissi has billed the extension as an historic achievement needed to boost the country’s ailing economy after years of unrest. (Egyptian Presidency via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT

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Egyptian air force planes parade over a statue representing a man digging the new section of the Suez Canal in Ismailia, Egypt, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. With much pomp and fanfare, Egypt on Thursday unveiled a major extension of the Suez Canal whose patron, President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, has billed as an historic achievement needed to boost the country’s ailing economy after years of unrest. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

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A cargo container ship crosses the new section of the Suez Canal after the opening ceremony in Ismailia, Egypt, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. With much pomp and fanfare, Egypt on Thursday unveiled a major extension of the Suez Canal whose patron, President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, has billed as an historic achievement needed to boost the country’s ailing economy after years of unrest. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

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People celebrate the new Suez Canal opening while gathering around Tahrir Square in downtown Cairo, Egypt, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. With much pomp and fanfare, Egypt on Thursday unveiled a major extension of the Suez Canal billed by its patron, President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi as a historic achievement needed to boost the country's ailing economy after years of unrest. (Ahmed Abd El-Latif/El Shorouk newspaper via AP)

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An army zodiac secures the entrance of the new section of the Suez Canal in Ismailia, Egypt, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. Egypt on Thursday will unveil a major extension of the Suez Canal that President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi has billed as an historic achievement needed to boost the country's ailing economy after years of unrest. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)

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Egyptians wear Pharaonic costumes as they march in front of a statue representing a man digging the new section of the Suez Canal in Ismailia, Egypt, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. With much pomp and fanfare, Egypt on Thursday unveiled a major extension of the Suez Canal whose patron, President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, has billed as an historic achievement needed to boost the country’s ailing economy after years of unrest. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

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Egyptian air force planes parade in front of a statue representing a man digging during the inauguration ceremony of the new section of the Suez Canal in Ismailia, Egypt, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. With much pomp and fanfare, Egypt on Thursday unveiled a major extension of the Suez Canal whose patron, President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, has billed as an historic achievement needed to boost the country’s ailing economy after years of unrest. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)

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Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, waves as he arrives to the opening ceremony of the new section of the Suez Canal in Ismailia, Egypt, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. With much pomp and fanfare, Egypt on Thursday unveiled a major extension of the Suez Canal whose patron, President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, has billed as an historic achievement needed to boost the country’s ailing economy after years of unrest. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

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Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, waves as he arrives to the opening ceremony of the new section of the Suez Canal in Ismailia, Egypt, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. With much pomp and fanfare, Egypt on Thursday unveiled a major extension of the Suez Canal whose patron, President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, has billed as an historic achievement needed to boost the country’s ailing economy after years of unrest. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

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An Egyptian woman holds a small boat as she and other Egyptian's celebrate the new Suez Canal opening in Tahrir square in Cario, Egypt, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. Egypt unveiled on Thursday a major extension of the Suez Canal that President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi has billed as an historic achievement needed to boost the country's ailing economy after years of unrest. (AP Photo/Mohamed Hossam)

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Egyptian army planes trace a heart during the opening ceremony of the new section of the Suez Canal in Ismailia, Egypt, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. With much pomp and fanfare, Egypt on Thursday unveiled a major extension of the Suez Canal whose patron, President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, has billed as an historic achievement needed to boost the country’s ailing economy after years of unrest. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

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Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, waves as he arrives to the opening ceremony of the new section of the Suez Canal in Ismailia, Egypt, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. With much pomp and fanfare, Egypt on Thursday unveiled a major extension of the Suez Canal whose patron, President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, has billed as an historic achievement needed to boost the country’s ailing economy after years of unrest. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)

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An Egyptian special forces soldier stands guard during the opening ceremony of the new section of the Suez Canal in Ismailia, Egypt, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. With much pomp and fanfare, Egypt on Thursday unveiled a major extension of the Suez Canal whose patron, President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, has billed as an historic achievement needed to boost the country’s ailing economy after years of unrest. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

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In this picture provided by the office of the Egyptian Presidency, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, center, waves from a monarchy-era yacht that sailed to the venue of a ceremony unveiling a major extension of the Suez Canal in Ismailia, Egypt, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. El-Sissi has billed the extension as an historic achievement needed to boost the country’s ailing economy after years of unrest. (Egyptian Presidency via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT

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Egyptian air force planes parade with the national flag colors during the inauguration ceremony of the new section of the Suez Canal in Ismailia, Egypt, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. With much pomp and fanfare, Egypt on Thursday unveiled a major extension of the Suez Canal whose patron, President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, has billed as an historic achievement needed to boost the country’s ailing economy after years of unrest. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)

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Egyptian soldiers stand near decorations marking the inauguration ceremony of the new section of the Suez Canal in Ismailia, Egypt, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. With much pomp and fanfare, Egypt on Thursday unveiled a major extension of the Suez Canal whose patron, President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, has billed as an historic achievement needed to boost the country’s ailing economy after years of unrest. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)

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Egyptian air force planes parade during the inauguration ceremony of the new section of the Suez Canal in Ismailia, Egypt, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. With much pomp and fanfare, Egypt on Thursday unveiled a major extension of the Suez Canal whose patron, President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, has billed as an historic achievement needed to boost the country’s ailing economy after years of unrest. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)

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Egyptian special forces soldiers stand guard during the opening ceremony of the new section of the Suez Canal in Ismailia, Egypt, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. With much pomp and fanfare, Egypt on Thursday unveiled a major extension of the Suez Canal whose patron, President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, has billed as an historic achievement needed to boost the country’s ailing economy after years of unrest. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)

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In this picture provided by the office of the Egyptian Presidency, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi smiles at a boy dressed in a tiny military uniform as he waves the national flag from a monarchy-era yacht that sailed to the venue of a ceremony unveiling a major extension of the Suez Canal in Ismailia, Egypt, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. El-Sissi has billed the extension as an historic achievement needed to boost the country’s ailing economy after years of unrest. (Egyptian Presidency via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT

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Egyptians wave the national flag in front of a military vehicle to celebrate the Suez Canal opening in Tahrir square, Cairo, Egypt. Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. Egypt on Thursday will unveil a major extension of the Suez Canal that President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi has billed as an historic achievement needed to boost the country's ailing economy after years of unrest. (AP Photo/Hamada Elrasam)

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Egyptian army soldiers patrol the Cairo-Ismailia desert road in Egypt, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. Egypt is to unveil a major extension of the Suez Canal that el-Sissi has billed as a historic achievement that will boost the economy following years of unrest. Arabic on the army vehicle reads, "forces securing the inauguration ceremony of the new Suez canal." (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)

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A policeman stands alert under a billboard with the photo of Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi at the Cairo-Ismailia desert road in Egypt, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. Egypt is to unveil a major extension of the Suez Canal that el-Sissi has billed as a historic achievement that will boost the economy following years of unrest. Arabic reads, "long live Egypt, President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, opening of the new Suez canal." (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)

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ISMAILIA, Egypt (AP) — In a defining moment of his young presidency, Egypt's Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi presided Thursday over the unveiling of a major extension of the Suez Canal that he hailed as a historic feat needed to revive the country's ailing economy after years of unrest.

Upbeat and clearly relishing the pomp-filled occasion, el-Sissi nevertheless conceded that the $8.5 billion project will not bring a quick economic windfall to a country roiled by violence and unrest since 2011. Its completion, he said, was but the first of a 1,000-step journey Egyptians must take toward economic recovery.

"Egyptians have made a huge effort so as to give humanity this gift for development and construction," el-Sissi said, his words interrupted at times by the horns of container ships using the new extension — a sound that brought a smile to his face and cheers from those in attendance

The magnitude of the project, its completion on schedule 13 months into his presidency and the large high-level foreign representation at its unveiling were likely to bolster el-Sissi's already high standing among many Egyptians — pushing aside, at least for a time, his reputation as an authoritarian leader with little regard for human rights or liberties.

Playing into his hands is a clear shift by many Egyptians away from the need for democratic freedoms and toward economic survival as a top priority — not surprising in a country where nearly half the population is below or hovering just above the poverty line.

Wearing his ceremonial military uniform and trademark dark sunglasses on a sweltering August day, el-Sissi flew to the site aboard a military helicopter and immediately boarded the same monarchy-era yacht that dignitaries sailed on during the canal's inauguration in 1869.

2015 The Associated Press

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