Egypt on high alert as global economic summit comes

Egypt is on high alert for potential security risks as the long-expected economic conference will be held in mid-March at its world-famous tourism resort.

The March 13-15 Economic Development Conference, to be held in the South Sinai city of Sharm el-Sheikh, is widely seen as a great chance for the turmoil-stricken Arab country to draw foreign investments and revive its economy.

The Egyptian authorities have deployed over 4,000 security personnel and increased the number of checkpoints and advanced security system especially in Sharm el-Sheikh, to prevent any potential attacks during this meeting and the Arab meeting in late March, according to security officials.

Authorities have enhanced security measures in many fields such as introductions of car license number recognition system and a new bombing detection technology, said General Mohamed Nader Farahat, assistant of security director of public security in South Sinai.

"As a popular tourism resort, Sharm el-Sheikh is completely safe for everyone," he added.

Sinai-based insurgents have intensified attacks since the military ousted former Islamist President Mohamed Morsi in July 2013.

The military-oriented leader Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi vowed to fight against terrorism after he took office in mid-2014.

However, there were still assaults in both restive Sinai Peninsula and other Delta cities, raising questions over new regime's capability in maintaining social security and stability.

According to Egyptian Foreign Ministry, the conference will draw delegations from at least 60 countries and 12 organizations and over 1,000 business representatives will participate in the event. Endit