Egypt's president, French armed forces minister agree to intensify counterterrorism coordination

CAIRO - 12 November 2021: Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi agreed with French Armed Forces Minister Florence Parly on Thursday on intensifying consultations and coordination during the coming period to counter terrorism.

They made the remarks in a meeting in Paris, which hosts an international conference on Libya on Friday, Presidential Spokesman Bassam Radi said in a statement.

Sisi and Parly agreed on enhancing coordination to eliminate the danger of terrorist elements and their movement from areas with tensions to other places, given the threat that this poses to the entire regional security, especially in North Africa and Sahel.

The meeting reviewed developing Egyptian-French military cooperation.

Facing challenges in the region and countering terrorism require unifying efforts and collective coordination to ensure the power and effectiveness of confrontation, Sisi said.

They also discussed a number of regional issues, according to the presidential spokesman.

Sisi and Parly agreed on backing the political path and Libya and adhering to the holding of the planned elections on 24 December, through which an elected legislative authority will assume power at the free will of the Libyan people.

This will mark a new page for the Libyan state, its restoration of the state institutions, security, and stability and the exit of foreign forces in a way that meets the aspirations of Libyan people, Sisi and Parly agreed.

Sisi expressed confidence in Egypt’s strategic relations with France in various fields, especially the security and military aspects.

The Egyptian president voiced aspiration for the development of bilateral cooperation with France in a way that contributes to facing the ongoing challenges and achieving development and prosperity for Egyptian and French peoples.

Parly, for her part, affirmed the importance France attaches to enhancing coordination and fostering ongoing strategic partnership relations with Egypt, especially in the military field and counterterrorism efforts.

This comes especially as Egypt represents a main pillar for security and stability in the Middle East and Africa, Parly affirmed, according to the presidential statement.