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France Signs Warship Deal with Egypt Printer friendly page Print This
By Staff Writers, teleSUR
teleSUR
Monday, Oct 12, 2015

French Prime Minister Manuel Valls (L) and Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi met in Cairo. | Photo: AFP

The French government signed a deal with Egypt on Saturday to provide two Mistral warships which had been originally sold to Russia.

The Russian warships deal was later canceled as the French government faced mounting pressures from partners and allies amid claims of Russian intervention in Ukraine.

In September, French President Francois Hollande announced that Cairo would now be buying the Mistral ships.

Despite increasing concerns over human rights violations and a generalized crackdown on opponents, Hollande believes that a stronger Egyptian government is needed.

“We all have a common enemy – Daesh,” he said in June, referring to the Islamic State group.

The French Prime Minister Manuel Valls further stressed Paris' "determination" to support Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi – who came to power after ousting Mohamed Mursi through a coup in 2013.

“Egypt is a central partner for dealing with all the crises affecting the region - Syria, the peace process between Israel and Palestine, tensions in Libya or in Yemen,” Valls said during a press conference in Cairo.

The purchase of the ships, which cost US$1 billion, will be “significantly” funded by Saudi Arabia, according to French officials cited by AFP news agency. The vessels can each carry 16 helicopters, four landing craft and 13 tanks.

They will be delivered in early March, and the contract provides for four months training in France for some 400 Egyptian sailors

The sale comes as Valls is visiting Arab countries to discuss the situation in Syria and Iraq and tensions between Israel and Palestine.

After Egypt, Valls will visit Jordan and Saudi Arabia. He is being accompanied by Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian and a high-ranking business delegation.


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