Sisi well aware of challenges facing SIS: SIS head

CAIRO – 24 October 2017: Diaa Rashwan, head of the State Information Service (SIS) in Egypt, said Tuesday that the country is in dire need for the SIS to restore its assumed role and duties.

Rashwan, former head of Egypt's press syndicate, added during his interview with Al-Hayah satellite channel that President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi is well aware of the challenges facing the SIS.

He also added that ousted Muslim Brotherhood-backed president Mohamed Morsi took advantage of SIS and held it in his authority through a presidential decree.

According to Rashwan, SIS has a duty to communicate with the world and reflect a true image about what is going on in Egypt.

On Saturday, SIS strongly condemned how both Reuters and BBC covered a shootout between Police personnel and armed terrorists during a raid on a militant hideout in Wahat, Giza.

Both international news outlets reported a death toll of 52 police personnel; the coverage was made based on information from “unidentified security sources."

According to official statements, only 17 Egyptian security personnel were killed during the shootout.

The SIS statement labeled the coverage made by Reuters and BBC “appalling” as they “erred with such magnitude". It specifically condemned the news agencies for disregarding official statements and even manipulating them.

Amer Mostafa contributed to this report.