Eurasia News

French President Francois Hollande on Thursday confirmed earlier reports that Egypt has decided to purchase 24 Rafale fighter-bombers, the first foreign sale of the high-performance French aircraft. “The Egyptian authorities have just made known to me today their intention to acquire 24 Rafale fighter planes and a multi-mission frigate as …

The international mediation team of the inter-Malian dialogue Wednesday called on the parties to the conflict to seize the opportunity of the Algiers negotiations as “a unique and historic opportunity” to end the crisis in the country and reach a comprehensive and final agreement likely to boost development in Mali …

The leaders of Germany, France, Russia and Ukraine have agreed a deal to end fighting in eastern Ukraine, participants at the summit talks said on Feb. 12. The deal reached after all-night negotiations in the Belarussian capital Minsk included a ceasefire that would come into effect on Feb. 15, followed …

President Barack Obama urged Congress on Wednesday to authorise military action against the Islamic State militants who are cutting a swath across the West Asia, vowing their forces “are going to lose.” Yet he ruled out large-scale U.S. ground combat operations reminiscent of Iraq and Afghanistan. “I’m convinced that the …

Pakistan and China Thursday reiterated their resolve to boost their existing ties and further deepen their cooperation in various sectors. Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and advisor to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz made the announcement while addressing a joint news conference …

At least 17 militants were killed Wednesday during security raids in Rafah and Sheikh Zuweid cities in Egypt’s North Sinai province, a security source said. “Four were killed in land raids while the other 13 were killed in an airstrike,” the source said. He added that the raids destroyed seven …

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Thursday arrived in Pakistan to hold bilateral talks, promote economic and trade cooperation and discuss the regional situation. During the two-day visit, Wang Yi, who is leading an eight-member delegation, will meet Advisor to the Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj …

The four leaders have started talks on the Ukraine settlement. Russian President Vladimir Putin, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and French President Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel have gathered at the Independence Palace in Minsk for their meeting. Almost 500 journalists had gathered to cover the summit. They could see …

Mali’s Prime Minister Modibo Keita urged a swift agreement in negotiations with rebels restarting this week in Algiers, saying progress was “looking very good” toward a definitive peace deal in the north. Attempts to reach an accord between Mali’s government and the mostly Tuareg rebel movements demanding more autonomy in …

French President Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel will travel to a Ukraine peace summit in Minsk on Wednesday to “try everything right to the end,” the French presidency said. The two leaders spoke to each other by phone “for a quick update on the situation”, ahead of flying …