El Sisi defends 26% hike in electricity prices: The government spends USD 18.6 bn on subsidies to cover fuel, food and electricity, President Abdel Fattah El Sisi said on Tuesday following the announcement of an average 26% increase in next year’s electricity prices,the Associated Press reports. Each family receives an average of about USD 60 in subsidies, he noted in a speech. El Sisi insisted that it was necessary to continue with reforms, adding that he refuses to delay them any further. "All challenges and difficulties could be easy if we endure them," he said. "We have to pay the price together."

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