French Minister of Defense Jean-Yves Le Drian stressed Monday the interrelation between the security and stability of Europe, on one hand, and that of the Middle East and the Arab region on the other. The situations in the Arab region impact not only on the French nationals in the region …
Read More »India, France to finalise Rafale deal by end of May
India and France aim to finalise the deal for 36 Dassault Rafale fighters for the Indian Air Force (IAF) by the end of May, according to defence industry sources. Indian prime minister Narendra Modi is believed to have insisted on this deadline with his French counterpart Francois Hollande in Paris, …
Read More »UN convoy attacked in Somalia, seven killed
At least seven people were killed in an attack on a UN vehicle in Garowe, the capital of Puntland in northeastern Somalia, on Monday. Four UN Children’s Fund (Unicef) staff members were among the dead and four other staff members were in serious condition, the agency said in a statement.
Read More »US paratroopers start training Ukrainian forces
US paratroopers on Monday began training Ukrainian government forces who will fight pro-Russian separatists in the east, angering Moscow as the deadly conflict rumbles on in the ex-Soviet country. Ukraine President Petro Poroshenko welcomed troops from the US 173rd Airborne Brigade in a rain-soaked ceremony at a military base in …
Read More »Egypt army, militants clash in North Sinai
Egypt’s armed forces killed 57 suspected militants in raids it conducted in North Sinai during the past 10 days, the army spokesman announced on Monday. Spokesman Mohamed Samir said in a statement that the armed forces conducted raids on the North Sinai cities of al-Arish, Sheikh Zuweid and Rafah from …
Read More »Morsi could face death sentence in first trial
Egypt’s ex-president Mohammed Morsi faces being sentenced to death on Tuesday on charges of inciting the killing of protestors in the first verdict against him nearly two years after his fall from power. He also faces the death penalty in two other trials, including one in which he is accused …
Read More »International countries condemn IS slaughter of Ethiopian Christians
The international community has condemned the slaughter of at least 28 Ethiopian Christians in an Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) video, with Ethiopia confirming that the victims were its citizens. “This not a clash of civilizations, this not a fight between Islam and the West,” an EU …
Read More »Modi wraps up visit to Europe
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday returned to India after concluding a successful three-nation, nine day tour of France, Germany and Canada, landing at the Palam Air Force Station in the national capital. Bharatiya Janata Party leaders, including the party’s Delhi unit chief Satish Upadhyay and Vijay Goel, were present …
Read More »Lebanon receives first part of French military equipment
Lebanon received today the first batch of French armaments under a Saudi-financed deal worth US$3 billion to boost the country’s defensive capabilities. The handing over ceremony was held at Beirut Air Base and attended by Lebanese Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, Sameer Muqbel, French Defence Minister, Jean-Yves Le …
Read More »Hollande strognly condemns IS attack in Libya
French President Francois Hollande on Monday “expressed indignation” after reports that the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) executed 28 Christians in Libya because of their faith. Hollande “condemned in the firmest manner the abuses committed by Daesh (ISIL) against civilian populations, no matter what their origin or …
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