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The Egyptian military is perhaps the strongest military power on the African continent, and the second largest in the Middle East. The Egyptian Armed forces have also had more battle-field experience than most armies in the region. The Egyptian Armed forces has a combined troop strength of around 450,000 active personnel. The Supreme Commander is the President, currently Hosni Mubarak. During peacetime, the title of Supreme Commander is ceremonial. Conscription is compulsory for Egyptian men of 18 years of age who are not the only male child. Full-time students may defer their service until the age of 29. The length of the service depends on the level of education achieved by the conscripted. Military cooperation between the United States and Egypt is strong, and covers a number of strategic areas, including cooperation in the ongoing process of modernizing Egyptian armaments and training the Egyptian armed forces. Egypt takes part regularly in military exercises with the US and other European and Arab allies, including the maneuvers that take place in Egypt every two years. Egypt continues to contribute regularly to United Nations peacekeeping missions, most recently in East Timor, Sierra Leone, and Liberia. |
Egypt Information: Inside
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