BUE

“In the Memorial of Taba Day” A symposium held by the faculty of law in the British University in Cairo, commemorating its 33 rd anniversary of the liberation of the last occupied part of Taba in the Sinai Peninsula, and declaring Egypt’s full sovereignty over it. This came in the presence of Dr Mufid Shehab, Former Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Minister of Legal Affairs and Parliamentary Councils and Member of the Taba Legal Defence Committee representing the Egyptian government before the Supreme Court of Arbitration in Geneva.

Professor Hassan Abdel Hamid, Dean of the faculty of Law in the British University in Cairo, commenced by welcoming both Dr Mufid Shehab who is known to be a law icon and a professional negotiator, and Professor Mohamed Lotfy, President of the British University in Cairo.

Professor Abdel Hamid emphasised that Egypt regaining its full sovereignty over Taba which is of a strategic importance in the region was a sweeping economic, political, and legal victory. This was achieved through determination and professionalism, and it crowned the glorious October war, 1973.

Dr Shehab revealed what was going behind the scenes of the negotiation and arbitration tribunals which took place in Geneva and the achievements of the Taba Legal Defence Authority that comprised of legal experts, geographers, historians, senior diplomats at the ministry of foreign affairs, and military survey experts. The committee members went through a tough round of negotiations and international arbitration that presented a unique example of Egypt’s diplomacy of peace. Dr Shehab added that it was through teamwork, determination, and efficacy put forth by the committee, the historical victory was achieved.

For his part, President of the British University in Cairo stated that one of the lessons learned which students should adopt as an educational and practical approach in their life is teamwork. Furthermore, Professor Lotfy stressed that regaining the trust in the Egyptian efficiency is based on determination and will that require extra attention.

The session was concluded by students taking photos with Dr Mufid Shehab, Professor Hassan Abdel Hamid, and Professor Lotfy President of the British University in Cairo.