 At the time, the merger created the world's sixth largest mobile telecommunications provider by number of subscribers with operations in 20 countries serving 181 million customers.As part of the merger deal, Sawiris spun off Orascom Telecom’s non-gsm operations and Egyptian-based telecom assets into Orascom Telecom Media and Technology Holding of which he is chairman.Sawiris led the acquisition of La Mancha Resources Inc through a tender offer launched by Weather Investments II.