ItihadiyaBetween a gracious past and a bloody present, Heliopolis Palace Hotel, now the Presidency, has witnessed history unfolding. Since its opening in 1910 as the world’s largest hotel, the site served as a hospital, and then as the headquarters for the failed union between Syria, Libya and Egypt, hence its name as al itihadiya (the union), and then from 1981 till today it is the official headquarters of the President of Egypt.

An open letter to Dr. Mohamed ElBaradeiI have the greatest respect and admiration for you. We can never forget that it was your courage and foresight that called for change and a transition to democracy during the final years of the Mubarak regime.