Africa

The European parliament on Thursday passed a resolution calling on the European Union to take action regarding Egypt in light of various infringements on rights of the press and expression. The resolution called on the EU to ban the export of all “intrusion and surveillance technologies” citing possible use “to …

The African Union (AU) Mission to Mali and the Sahel has called on Mali’s government and representatives of armed groups to ensure transparency and good will as the parties begin peace negotiations in neighboring Algeria on Wednesday.

French President Francois Hollande begins on Thursday a three-day visit to Africa to reinforce France’s commitment to the continent and to the fight against rising extremism in several countries, Hollande’s office said.

Libya’s neighbours are offering to help the country control its borders, collect heavy weapons and reconcile rival political forces as security in the North African nation deteriorates. Tunisian President Moncef Marzouki told a conference that Libyan authorities have agreed to create joint border control forces.

Libya’s government said on Tuesday it was considering calling for international forces to help re-establish security after deadly clashes closed Tripoli airport, severing air links with the outside world.

The French Presidency announced on Tuesday the death of France’s ninth solider in the Mali conflict which began 18 months ago. President Francois Hollande’s office said that a non-commissioned officer was killed Monday while on a reconnaissance mission and he expressed “deep sadness” upon learning of the report and sent …

The United Nations Security Council called for “de-escalation” on Saturday evening, in the latest wave of the militarised conflict playing out in the Gaza Strip. The council “expressed serious concern regarding the crisis related to Gaza and the protection and welfare of civilians on both sides”. It called for a …

Egypt declared an emergency state on the border with Gaza on Wednesday following Israeli airstrikes on the strip, a security source told Aswat Masriya. The source added that army forces have stepped up caution in the Sinai Peninsula which falls on the border of Israel. Egypt’s presidential office said on …

Egyptian President Abdulfattah Al-Sisi directed his Foreign Minister Sameh Shukry on Thursday to head to the Iraqi capital and convey Egypt’s stance in support of Iraq. The current Iraqi crisis comes as the forefront of priorities for consultations on ways to restore national reconciliation between all parties involved in Iraq, …

French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian headed to the Central African Republic (CAR) on Monday for a two-day visit to take stock of the situation after a rise in violence involving the French deployment in that country. Defence Ministry sources said that Le Drian will be visiting troops serving in …