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Why is Egypt's army now in the baby formula business?

While Egypt's army has long played a large role in the country's economy, recent steps taken by the armed forces in the baby formula and education sector have reignited fears about its financial power.
A protester reaches out as a soldier holds a child during a demonstration in Cairo January 29, 2011. Thousands of angry Egyptians rallied in central Cairo on Saturday to demand that Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak resign, dismissing his offer of dialogue and calling on troops to come over to their side. REUTERS/Asmaa Waguih (EGYPT - Tags: CIVIL UNREST MILITARY POLITICS SOCIETY) - RTXX8TU
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On Sept. 3, the Egyptian armed forces issued a statement announcing their intention to import the first shipment of baby formula, just one day after citizens cut off the road to protest the shortage of fortified baby formula. On Sept. 19, the first shipments arrived from France.

In his statement, the military spokesman warned citizens of being misled by rumors, saying, “Citizens must realize that the armed forces exert all efforts to ease the burden on ordinary citizens.”

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