Egyptian air strikes were coordinated with Libyan army, Shoukry

CAIRO – 30 May 2017: Egypt’s airstrikes at the Libyan city of Darna were carried out in coordination with the Libyan army, Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry said in a press conference held with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov in Cairo, Monday.

“Extremist groups pose a threat to the whole region,” Shoukry said, confirming that Egypt stands up for its army and police in the face of terrorism.

During the meeting, Shoukry moreover reiterated that Egypt will continue supporting the Libyan Political agreement, known as “Skhirat” for the stability of the neighboring country.

Lavrov pointed out that Libya became a household for foreign militants, weapons and drugs smugglers as well as human trafficking, stressing the need for more cooperation with relevant parties to settle the Libya crisis.


He added that the spread of terrorist attacks across Europe came as a result to European countries’ insistence at working on their own, urging the importance of international coordination in the fight against terrorism.

For his part, Shoukri added that Egypt is confident in Russia's role in supporting Egypt's vision to restore stability in the Middle East.