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.



Four Bodies, Four Survivors Recovered from Egypt Red Sea Sinking, Says Governor

Sea Story had no technical problems, obtained all required permits prior to the trip, and was last checked for naval safety in March. (Red Sea Governorate on Facebook)
Sea Story had no technical problems, obtained all required permits prior to the trip, and was last checked for naval safety in March. (Red Sea Governorate on Facebook)
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Four Bodies, Four Survivors Recovered from Egypt Red Sea Sinking, Says Governor

Sea Story had no technical problems, obtained all required permits prior to the trip, and was last checked for naval safety in March. (Red Sea Governorate on Facebook)
Sea Story had no technical problems, obtained all required permits prior to the trip, and was last checked for naval safety in March. (Red Sea Governorate on Facebook)

Rescuers on Tuesday recovered four bodies and four survivors a day after a diving boat capsized off Egypt's eastern coast, Red Sea governor Amr Hanafi said, with eight people still missing.

Among the survivors were two Belgians, one Swiss national and one Egyptian, the governor said, bringing the total number of survivors from the vessel to 32. The four dead have not yet been identified and eight people remain missing.

"Rescue operations are ongoing today, supported by a military helicopter and a frigate in addition to multiple divers," Hanafi told AFP.

The vessel was carrying 31 tourists of multiple nationalities and a 13-member crew when it was hit by a large wave early on Monday, leading it to capsize near Marsa Alam in southeastern Egypt. The "Sea Story" had embarked on a multi-day diving trip on Sunday and had been due to dock on Friday at the town of Hurghada, 200 kilometres (124 miles) north.

The governor on Monday said the boat had sunk within 5-7 minutes of its impact with the wave, leaving some passengers -- among them European, Chinese and American tourists -- unable to escape their cabins in time.

- Survivors -

Rescuers from the military and a passing tourist boat had pulled 28 people from the waters on Monday. According to a source at a hospital in Marsa Alam, six tourists and three Egyptians were admitted with minor injuries and discharged on Monday.

The tourists included "two Germans, two Britons, one Spaniard and one Swiss national," the hospital administrator told AFP, requesting anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media.

According to the governor's office, the boat was carrying tourists from Belgium, Britain, China, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Poland, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland and the United States.

Among the missing are two Polish and two Finnish tourists, according to both countries' foreign ministries.

Authorities have said the vessel was fully licensed and had passed all its inspection checks. A preliminary investigation showed no technical fault.

The Marsa Alam area experienced at least two similar boat accidents earlier this year but there were no fatalities. The Red Sea coast is a major tourist destination in Egypt, a country of 107 million that is in the grip of a serious economic crisis.

Nationally, the tourism sector employs two million people and generates more than 10 percent of its GDP.

Dozens of dive boats crisscross between Red Sea coral reefs and islands off Egypt's eastern coast every day, where safety regulations are robust but unevenly enforced.

Earlier this month, 30 people were rescued from a sinking dive boat near the Red Sea's Daedalus reef. In June, two dozen French tourists were evacuated safely before their boat sank in a similar accident.

Last year, three British tourists died when a fire broke out on their yacht.