Egypt, France Discuss Confronting Terror Groups Regionally, Internationally

Sisi meets Macron at the Elysee Palace on Friday, November 12, 2021. (Reuters)
Sisi meets Macron at the Elysee Palace on Friday, November 12, 2021. (Reuters)
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Egypt, France Discuss Confronting Terror Groups Regionally, Internationally

Sisi meets Macron at the Elysee Palace on Friday, November 12, 2021. (Reuters)
Sisi meets Macron at the Elysee Palace on Friday, November 12, 2021. (Reuters)

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron discussed on Friday bilateral cooperation in countering terrorism at the local, regional and international levels, especially in Africa.

They met on the sidelines of the Paris International Conference for Libya and underlined the importance of bolstering Euro-Mediterranean cooperation between Egypt and the European Union.

They pointed to the current health, environment, economic, political and social crises and stressed the need to achieve stability and growth for regional countries, as well as curbing the flow of illegal migrants to the Mediterranean basin countries.

According to presidency spokesperson Bassam Rady, Macron hailed the development in Egyptian-French ties in all areas, which has been reflected in the numerous mutual visits between senior officials from both countries.

Macron further confirmed his country’s keenness to maximize bilateral cooperation in the future and enhance political coordination and exchange of views on various issues of mutual interest, Rady added.

Egypt is considered one of France’s key partners in the Middle East region and plays a pivotal role in achieving regional security and stability, he quoted Macron as saying.

Sisi, for his part, commended the remarkable level of bilateral and strategic ties with Paris in various fields, especially politically, economically, commercially and militarily.

He underscored keenness to continue consultations with Macron on a regular basis over issues of bilateral cooperation and deepening the Egyptian-French partnership, Rady stated.

They praised Egyptian-French military ties, especially after concluding many major arms deals in recent years, he noted.



UN Rights Chief ‘Gravely Concerned’ by Lebanon Escalation

Smoke billows above Beirut’s southern suburbs following an Israeli airstrike on November 26, 2024, amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hezbollah. (AFP)
Smoke billows above Beirut’s southern suburbs following an Israeli airstrike on November 26, 2024, amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hezbollah. (AFP)
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UN Rights Chief ‘Gravely Concerned’ by Lebanon Escalation

Smoke billows above Beirut’s southern suburbs following an Israeli airstrike on November 26, 2024, amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hezbollah. (AFP)
Smoke billows above Beirut’s southern suburbs following an Israeli airstrike on November 26, 2024, amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hezbollah. (AFP)

The UN rights chief on Tuesday voiced concern about the escalation of hostilities in Lebanon, where his office said nearly 100 people had been reported killed by Israeli airstrikes in recent days, including women, children and medics.

Israel has been locked in fighting with Lebanese armed group Hezbollah since Oct. 2023, and fighting has escalated dramatically since late September of this year.

"UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk is gravely concerned by the escalation in Lebanon with at least 97 people reportedly killed in Israeli airstrikes between the 22nd and 24th of November," Jeremy Laurence, a spokesperson for the Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights, told a Geneva press briefing.

He said that at least seven paramedics had been reported killed in three Israeli strikes in the south of Lebanon on Nov. 22-23, adding to 226 healthcare worker deaths since Oct. 7, 2023. He did not specify how many of the recent deaths had been verified by UN human rights monitors.

Israel says it targets military capabilities in Lebanon and Gaza and takes steps to mitigate the risk of harm to civilians. It accuses Hezbollah, like Hamas, of hiding among civilians, which they deny.