France's Defense minister, Jean Yves Le Drian said Monday the Rafale jet fighters deal, recently signed between Egypt and France will empower Egypt in its war on terrorism, according to MENA. Le Drian stressed on Egypt's need for the Rafale fighters to counter the ongoing attacks in North Sinai, and to prevent the insurgency in Libya from spilling over the borders following the execution of 21 Egyptian Christians by IS militants in the turbulent country. He warned of the impact of the ongoing communications between Libya's militants and the IS jihadists in Syria and Iraq on the security situation in the region, as IS training camps have been found in Libya. He confirmed that President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi has a clear strategy to secure the Suez Canal, adding that its importance as an international commercial pathway calls for an advanced fleet of combat jets to eliminate any potential threats. Le Drian will arrive in Cairo Monday to sign the 5.9 billion deal for 24 Rafale fighters that Paris hopes will prompt others to snap up its premier combat jet.
