Countering terrorism requires joint effort: Lavrov

CAIRO – 29 May 2017: Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov expressed his condolences to Egypt for Friday’s terrorist attack in Minya, stating that combating terrorism requires joint efforts.

"I express my condolences in connection with this attack which left many victims," Lavrov said during a visit to Cairo on Monday, according to the Russian Sputnik News. "This evil should be fought jointly," he stated in a meeting with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry.

At least 29 were killed and dozens injured when a group of masked men attacked a bus carrying Coptic Christians on the desert road between Minya and Beni Suef Friday morning. The Islamic State (IS) group claimed responsibility for the attack.

Lavrov and Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu arrived in Cairo Sunday evening. Their agenda in Egypt includes meeting with Shoukry and Defense Minister Sedki Sobhi as part of the third round of the 2+2 strategic talks between two states and a meeting with President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi at the Presidential Palace.