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)
TT

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.



Geagea Calls on Hezbollah to Work with Lebanese Army

 Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea. (Lebanese Forces)
Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea. (Lebanese Forces)
TT

Geagea Calls on Hezbollah to Work with Lebanese Army

 Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea. (Lebanese Forces)
Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea. (Lebanese Forces)

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea urged on Friday Hezbollah to engage with the Lebanese army and devise a plan to dismantle its military infrastructure south and north of the Litani river.

In a press conference Friday, Geagea criticized Hezbollah for opening a front with Israel and accused the Shiite group of committing a “major crime” against the Lebanese people.

“We could have done without the martyrdom of more than 4,000 people, the displacement of thousands and the destruction across the country,” he said. “Despite all these tragedies, Hezbollah continues to talk about a victory using a bizarre and disconnected logic that has no basis in reality.”

Geagea’s comments came two days after a US-brokered ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel went into effect. More than 3,900 people have been killed in Lebanon since Israel's conflict with Hezbollah escalated.

Geagea, whose Lebanese Forces Party holds the largest bloc in Lebanon’s 128-member parliament, also addressed Lebanon’s presidential deadlock. The country has been without a president for more than two years.

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri has scheduled a session for presidential elections in January. "Consultations with opposition factions and our allies will begin in the coming days to explore the possibility of agreeing on presidential candidates and bringing them to parliament,” Geagea said.