Egypt Holds Exercise To Prepare For Israeli Invasion

CAIRO [MENL] -- Egypt, amid a troop buildup, has staged a major military
exercise in the Sinai Peninsula meant to counter an invasion from Israel.
Officials said the Egyptian military completed a major multi-service
exercise in mid-February 2009 despite poor weather in the Sinai. They said
the 10-day exercise, titled "Badawi-3," tested interoperability between the
air force and infantry, both based on U.S. platforms and weapons, as well as
Egypt's ability to repel an invasion from the east.
"Our armed forces have achieved the highest degree of efficiency and
combat readiness and professionalism in the performance and implementation
of the tasks which cam deter anyone who might seek to harm the security and
sovereignty of Egypt and their ability to protect and secure our interests
and our borders," Egyptian Defense Minister Hussein Tantawi said.