Egypt and Russia discuss fight against terror post bus attack

Cairo talks came after Egypt's air force bombed jihadist training camps in eastern Libya

AFP | PTI  |  Cairo 

church, bomb attack, Nile Delta, Tanta, Egypt, Alexandria
Relatives and onlookers swarm around a car outside a church after a bomb attack in the Nile Delta town of Tanta, Egypt. Photo: AP/PTI

Egyptian President today held talks in Cairo with Russia's foreign and defence ministers on ways to battle "terrorism", his office said.

A statement said the talks with Russia's Foreign Minister and Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu focused on "the struggle against terrorism" and bilateral cooperation.

Lavrov earlier discussed the situation in chaos-riddled with his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry, the foreign ministry in Cairo said.

Rival administrations and militias have been fighting for control of oil-rich since the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that toppled and killed veteran dictator Moamer

Egypt's neighbour has also been a breeding and training ground for jihadists, including the Islamic State group.

The Cairo talks came after Egypt's air force on Friday bombed jihadist training camps in eastern

The air strikes were launched hours after masked gunmen shot dead 29 in central Egypt, in an attack later claimed by the Islamic State group.

Forces loyal to east military strongman Khalifa Haftar, which also took part in the strikes, said yesterday's raids hit a pro-Al-Qaeda group in the Libyan city of Derna.

Sisi and his Russian visitors "agreed on the importance of uniting efforts in the battle against terrorism" and to step up their cooperation to meet that goal, the Egyptian presidency said.

A statement said Sisi told the Russian ministers that Cairo wants to bolster "economic, commercial and industrial ties" with Moscow.

Today's talks also focused on the conflict in Syria.

Shoukry praised "Russia's role in the success of the Astana process" -- the talks in Kazakhstan trying to bring about peace in Syria -- and said he hoped it would lead to "a total ceasefire", his office said.

Earlier this month, Damascus allies and Iran as well as rebel supporter Turkey signed a landmark deal to create four "de-escalation" zones across some of Syria's bloodiest battlegrounds.

Lavrov also met Arab League head Ahmed Aboul Gheit, with both men stressing the importance of "working seriously to find political solutions to the crises and armed conflicts in the Arab world", the 22-member bloc said in a statement.

The Russian ministers' visit to Cairo had been planned for weeks as part of regular meetings between the allied countries.

Egypt and Russia discuss fight against terror post bus attack

Cairo talks came after Egypt's air force bombed jihadist training camps in eastern Libya

Cairo talks came after Egypt's air force bombed jihadist training camps in eastern Libya
Egyptian President today held talks in Cairo with Russia's foreign and defence ministers on ways to battle "terrorism", his office said.

A statement said the talks with Russia's Foreign Minister and Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu focused on "the struggle against terrorism" and bilateral cooperation.

Lavrov earlier discussed the situation in chaos-riddled with his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry, the foreign ministry in Cairo said.

Rival administrations and militias have been fighting for control of oil-rich since the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that toppled and killed veteran dictator Moamer

Egypt's neighbour has also been a breeding and training ground for jihadists, including the Islamic State group.

The Cairo talks came after Egypt's air force on Friday bombed jihadist training camps in eastern

The air strikes were launched hours after masked gunmen shot dead 29 in central Egypt, in an attack later claimed by the Islamic State group.

Forces loyal to east military strongman Khalifa Haftar, which also took part in the strikes, said yesterday's raids hit a pro-Al-Qaeda group in the Libyan city of Derna.

Sisi and his Russian visitors "agreed on the importance of uniting efforts in the battle against terrorism" and to step up their cooperation to meet that goal, the Egyptian presidency said.

A statement said Sisi told the Russian ministers that Cairo wants to bolster "economic, commercial and industrial ties" with Moscow.

Today's talks also focused on the conflict in Syria.

Shoukry praised "Russia's role in the success of the Astana process" -- the talks in Kazakhstan trying to bring about peace in Syria -- and said he hoped it would lead to "a total ceasefire", his office said.

Earlier this month, Damascus allies and Iran as well as rebel supporter Turkey signed a landmark deal to create four "de-escalation" zones across some of Syria's bloodiest battlegrounds.

Lavrov also met Arab League head Ahmed Aboul Gheit, with both men stressing the importance of "working seriously to find political solutions to the crises and armed conflicts in the Arab world", the 22-member bloc said in a statement.

The Russian ministers' visit to Cairo had been planned for weeks as part of regular meetings between the allied countries.
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