Egypt: Everyone's Delighted

As the troops swung down Cairo's streets last week, the city gave them a delirious welcome. Men waved green branches, women flung flowers from balconies, girls broke through police lines to loop garlands over the soldiers' necks, and children scrambled up trees and statues. Everyone screamed "Marhab bil abtal!" (Welcome to the heroes) as white pigeons wheeled overhead, helicopters displayed military flags, and MIG fighter squadrons thundered past.

The 3,000 troops, the first veterans to return home from the seven-month civil war in Yemen, formed up in Republic Square, where President Gamal Abdel Nasser mounted the dais, advanced to...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!