With the >most powerful military in the Arab world, it seems only natural that Egypt would also host the region's largest military base.
On Saturday, Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi officially opened the Mohamed Naguib military base – named for the nation's first president – located in al-Hammam City, west of Alexandria along the Mediterranean Sea. It has been dubbed "the largest military base in the Middle East," with 1155 buildings and facilities, according to Egypt Independent.
The site took two years to build, constructed by the engineering corps of Egypt's Armed Forces. It will also include some 72 km of roads and will be accessible by four main gates.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, which also honored the new graduates of the country's military colleges and institutes, Sisi said "constructive cooperation" is necessary to address the challenges facing the region, according to Al Arabiya.
Sisi said that billions are being spent to destroy the region – including Egypt – stressing that no foreign power has the right to interfere. Addressing the constant threat of terrorism, Sisi expressed determination to continue the fight against extremism.
"Egypt will remain a peace-loving nation and will never kowtow to terrorist threats and those behind them," he said.
Many Arab leaders from throughout the region attended the event, in a show of solidarity with Egypt and its military.
The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, the Crown Prince of Bahrain Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Emir of Mecca Prince Khalid Al Faisal, Kuwaiti Minister of Defense Sheikh Mohammad Al-Khalid Al-Hamad Al-Sabah and Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar of the Libyan National Army commander all attended the ceremony.
Seeming to reference the >ongoing blockade of Qatar by Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain, Sisi said: "We can never forgive those who spend billions of dollars in support of terrorism to kill our people and then speak about brotherhood and neighborhood."
Sisi also voiced his appreciation to the Egyptian people, who recognized as struggling under the country's ongoing economic crisis.
The opening of the base comes several months after a similar facility was established near the Libyan border, according to Press TV. Egypt has said that the Barrani base aims to prevent militants from Libya from entering the country.