Egypt celebrates as New Suez Canal opens — in pictures

“The quick completion of the Suez Canal proves to the world that the Egyptian people do not know the impossible and do not admit despair,” said Sheikh Mohammed, pictured here with Abdel Fattah El Sisi. “Congratulations to the Egyptian people on the canal and to us on the Egyptians’ joy.” AP

The ceremony was attended by a number of international dignitaries, including (from left) the President of Sudan, Omar al-Bashir, the Emir of Kuwait, Sabah al-Ahmed al-Sabah, and Francois Hollande, president of France. With them is the Egyptian president Abdel Fattah El Sisi. EPA

Egyptian president Abdel Fattah El Sisi with King Abdullah II of Jordan as the Ethiopian Prime Minister, Hailemariam Desalegn, left, looks on. EPA

A girl carries an Egyptian flag while riding in a car as people gather in Tahrir Square to celebrate an extension of the Suez Canal. Mohamed Abd El Ghany / Reuters

People cheer in Tahrir Square. Egypt has opened the new Suez Canal to great fanfare. Mohamed Abd El Ghany / Reuters

An Egyptian man embraces a man dressed as a pink bunny as they celebrate the opening of the new addition to the Suez Canal. Oliver Weiken / EPA

Egypt unveiled a major extension of the Suez Canal that President Abdel Fattah El Sisi has billed as a historic achievement needed to boost the country’s ailing economy. Mohamed Elraai / AP Photo

Egypt’s black, white and red flags adorned streets across much of the nation, along with banners declaring support for El Sissi and hailing his latest achievement. Khaled ElFiqi / EPA

The Egyptian president Abdel Fattah El Sisi said: “The new canal will become a symbol of the new Egypt, a gift from the nation to the world, and a demonstration of the determination and commitment of the Egyptian people.” Reuters / Amr Abdallah Dalsh

A Egyptian soldier stands guard on the bank of the Suez. Mohamed El Shahed / AFP Photo

Egyptian military planes on display in the port city of Ismailia. Mohamed El Shahed / AFP Photo

Egyptian helicopters fly over a sculpture on the bank of the new Suez Canal. Mohamed El Shahed / AFP Photo

Egyptian women wave flags during celebrations in Cairo's Tahrir Square. AFP Photo

Men perform on the bank of the Suez as part of the opening of the extension of the canal. Mohamed El Shahed / AFP Photo

Egypt sees the canal, which gives the existing sealane the capability to take two-way traffic for its entire 160-kilometre length, as a crucial part of its growth strategy, creating employment in the economically deprived Sinai. EPA

Egyptian army planes at the ceremony. Mohamed El Shahed / AFP Photo

Egyptian air force planes perform during the inauguration ceremony. EPA

A Egyptian soldier stands guard on the bank of the Suez Canal. Mohamed El Shahed / AFP Photo

The El Mahrousa yacht, right, sails through a section of the New Suez Canal. Shawn Baldwin/Bloomberg

Egyptian army planes at a fly-over during the opening ceremony. Mohamed El Shahed / AFP Photo

Egypt unveils the New Suez Canal to fanfare across the country.