Suez braces for locust swarm

 Insects are expected to arrive within hours Suez – Sayed Abdullah Agricultural authorities in the Egyptian province of Suez have declared a state of emergency, ahead of a looming swarm of locusts expected to hit within hours. Suez Agriculture Undersecretary Sabri Ragueh told Arabstoday four stations between Zafranah and Ras Ghareb had been supplied with emergency insecticides and chemicals to combat the swarm. Ragueh said the situation is currently "stable" and that the destructive insects were yet to appear. “The stations tasked with fighting the swarm are ready,” he said. Some analysts fear the insects’ arrival could effect the Egyptian government’s plans to collect food subsidies from the Suez region.