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The Post’s View
Egypt’s military ruler suffers an embarrassment at the polls

By Editorial Board, Thursday, May 29, 1:07 AM
EGYPT’S PRESIDENTIAL election has turned out to be considerably more revealing of national sentiment than might have been expected. Despite increasingly desperate measures by authorities, including the extension of polling from two days to three and threats to fine anyone who didn’t cast a ballot, turnout was disastrously low. While an official newspaper reported a figure of 37 percent Wednesday, other sources, including the sole opposition candidate, said it was closer to 15 percent. The relentless propaganda by the regime of Gen. Abdel Fatah al-Sissi, which claimed he enjoyed overwhelming support from an adoring population, was proved false.

That may surprise Western supporters of Gen. Sissi, including many in the Obama administration, who have bought into the former general’s claim that he can restore stability to Egypt. On Wednesday Mr. Obama said at West Point that the United States had not cut off cooperation with the military regime because of “security interests” such as the peace treaty with Israel and “shared efforts against violent extremism.” The election is one more sign that Gen. Sissi lacks the means or the mandate to deliver on those interests.

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World Maritime News said:

HM Naval Base in Portsmouth was lit up red, white and green as BAE Systems handed over the third of three new warships to the Royal Navy of Oman.

AL RASIKH is a 99 metre corvette designed, built and delivered as part of Project Khareef. The Interim Acceptance ceremony was attended by dignitaries from both Oman and the UK who witnessed the ship’s crew board the vessel to raise the National Flag of Oman for the first time.

Mick Ord, Managing Director of BAE Systems Naval Ships, said: “This is a proud day for the Royal Navy of Oman as it takes ownership of the third Khareef Class corvette, which has been completed to the highest standard.

Her sister ships in Oman have already proven themselves to be incredibly capable, which is testament to the teamwork and dedication of all those involved in this project from the Royal Navy of Oman and BAE Systems.”

Portsmouth’s iconic Spinnaker Tower also joined the colourful celebrations by lighting up in Oman’s national colours.

AL RASIKH will now sail to Devonport where her crew will complete a training programme with the Royal Navy, which will be supported by BAE Systems. She will then depart on her 3,000 mile voyage to Oman to join sister ships, AL SHAMIKH and AL RAHMANI. The first two ships in the Khareef Class will begin their final sea acceptance trials in Oman this summer during which they will demonstrate their ability to perform in high temperatures.

The Khareef Class corvettes are equipped to defend against both surface and air threats with stealth features to operate undetected, an innovative hull design and electric propulsion to provide exceptional maneuverability. The ship is capable of undertaking a range of operations including coastal patrols, disaster relief, search and rescue, and deterrence operations.

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The Iraqi Air Force can list a fighter aircraft in the inventory for the first time in more than a decade on 5 June with the delivery of the first of 36 Lockheed Martin F-16IQ Block 52 aircraft on order.

Iraqi ambassador Lukman Faily formally received the two-seat, Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-229-powered F-16IQ during a ceremony at Lockheed’s factory in Fort Worth, Texas, becoming the 28th country to take delivery of a the 40-year-old F-16.

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