• “The quick completion of the Suez Canal proves to the world that the Egyptian people do not know the impossible and do not admit despair,” said Sheikh Mohammed, pictured here with Abdel Fattah El Sisi. “Congratulations to the Egyptian people on the canal and to us on the Egyptians’ joy.” AP
    “The quick completion of the Suez Canal proves to the world that the Egyptian people do not know the impossible and do not admit despair,” said Sheikh Mohammed, pictured here with Abdel Fattah El Sisi. “Congratulations to the Egyptian people on the canal and to us on the Egyptians’ joy.” AP
  • The ceremony was attended by a number of international dignitaries, including (from left) the President of Sudan, Omar al-Bashir, the Emir of Kuwait, Sabah al-Ahmed al-Sabah, and Francois Hollande, president of France. With them is the Egyptian president Abdel Fattah El Sisi. EPA
    The ceremony was attended by a number of international dignitaries, including (from left) the President of Sudan, Omar al-Bashir, the Emir of Kuwait, Sabah al-Ahmed al-Sabah, and Francois Hollande, president of France. With them is the Egyptian president Abdel Fattah El Sisi. EPA
  • Egyptian president Abdel Fattah El Sisi with King Abdullah II of Jordan as the Ethiopian Prime Minister, Hailemariam Desalegn, left, looks on. EPA
    Egyptian president Abdel Fattah El Sisi with King Abdullah II of Jordan as the Ethiopian Prime Minister, Hailemariam Desalegn, left, looks on. EPA
  • A girl carries an Egyptian flag while riding in a car as people gather in Tahrir Square to celebrate an extension of the Suez Canal. Mohamed Abd El Ghany / Reuters
    A girl carries an Egyptian flag while riding in a car as people gather in Tahrir Square to celebrate an extension of the Suez Canal. Mohamed Abd El Ghany / Reuters
  • People cheer in Tahrir Square. Egypt has opened the new Suez Canal to great fanfare. Mohamed Abd El Ghany / Reuters
    People cheer in Tahrir Square. Egypt has opened the new Suez Canal to great fanfare. Mohamed Abd El Ghany / Reuters
  • An Egyptian man embraces a man dressed as a pink bunny as they celebrate the opening of the new addition to the Suez Canal. Oliver Weiken / EPA
    An Egyptian man embraces a man dressed as a pink bunny as they celebrate the opening of the new addition to the Suez Canal. Oliver Weiken / EPA
  • Egypt unveiled a major extension of the Suez Canal that President Abdel Fattah El Sisi has billed as a historic achievement needed to boost the country’s ailing economy. Mohamed Elraai / AP Photo
    Egypt unveiled a major extension of the Suez Canal that President Abdel Fattah El Sisi has billed as a historic achievement needed to boost the country’s ailing economy. Mohamed Elraai / AP Photo
  • Egypt’s black, white and red flags adorned streets across much of the nation, along with banners declaring support for El Sissi and hailing his latest achievement. Khaled ElFiqi / EPA
    Egypt’s black, white and red flags adorned streets across much of the nation, along with banners declaring support for El Sissi and hailing his latest achievement. Khaled ElFiqi / EPA
  • The Egyptian president Abdel Fattah El Sisi said: “The new canal will become a symbol of the new Egypt, a gift from the nation to the world, and a demonstration of the determination and commitment of the Egyptian people.” Reuters / Amr Abdallah Dalsh
    The Egyptian president Abdel Fattah El Sisi said: “The new canal will become a symbol of the new Egypt, a gift from the nation to the world, and a demonstration of the determination and commitment of the Egyptian people.” Reuters / Amr Abdallah Dalsh
  • A Egyptian soldier stands guard on the bank of the Suez. Mohamed El Shahed / AFP Photo
    A Egyptian soldier stands guard on the bank of the Suez. Mohamed El Shahed / AFP Photo
  • Egyptian military planes on display in the port city of Ismailia. Mohamed El Shahed / AFP Photo
    Egyptian military planes on display in the port city of Ismailia. Mohamed El Shahed / AFP Photo
  • Egyptian helicopters fly over a sculpture on the bank of the new Suez Canal. Mohamed El Shahed / AFP Photo
    Egyptian helicopters fly over a sculpture on the bank of the new Suez Canal. Mohamed El Shahed / AFP Photo
  • Egyptian women wave flags during celebrations in Cairo's Tahrir Square. AFP Photo
    Egyptian women wave flags during celebrations in Cairo's Tahrir Square. AFP Photo
  • Men perform on the bank of the Suez as part of the opening of the extension of the canal. Mohamed El Shahed / AFP Photo
    Men perform on the bank of the Suez as part of the opening of the extension of the canal. Mohamed El Shahed / AFP Photo
  • Egypt sees the canal, which gives the existing sealane the capability to take two-way traffic for its entire 160-kilometre length, as a crucial part of its growth strategy, creating employment in the economically deprived Sinai. EPA
    Egypt sees the canal, which gives the existing sealane the capability to take two-way traffic for its entire 160-kilometre length, as a crucial part of its growth strategy, creating employment in the economically deprived Sinai. EPA
  • Egyptian army planes at the ceremony. Mohamed El Shahed / AFP Photo
    Egyptian army planes at the ceremony. Mohamed El Shahed / AFP Photo
  • Egyptian air force planes perform during the inauguration ceremony. EPA
    Egyptian air force planes perform during the inauguration ceremony. EPA
  • A Egyptian soldier stands guard on the bank of the Suez Canal. Mohamed El Shahed / AFP Photo
    A Egyptian soldier stands guard on the bank of the Suez Canal. Mohamed El Shahed / AFP Photo
  • The El Mahrousa yacht, right, sails through a section of the New Suez Canal. Shawn Baldwin/Bloomberg
    The El Mahrousa yacht, right, sails through a section of the New Suez Canal. Shawn Baldwin/Bloomberg
  • Egyptian army planes at a fly-over during the opening ceremony. Mohamed El Shahed / AFP Photo
    Egyptian army planes at a fly-over during the opening ceremony. Mohamed El Shahed / AFP Photo

Egypt celebrates as New Suez Canal opens — in pictures


  • English
  • Arabic

Egypt unveils the New Suez Canal to fanfare across the country.