Journal Gazette Egypt seeks help after its airstrikes in Libya Egypt bombed Islamic State militants in neighboring Libya on Monday and called on the United States and Europe to join an international military intervention in the chaotic North African state after extremists beheaded a group of Egyptian Christians. The airstrikes bring Egypt overtly into Libya's turmoil, a reflection of Cairo's increasing alarm. Egypt now faces threats on two fronts – a growing stronghold of radicals on its western border and a militant insurgency of Islamic State allies on its eastern flank in the Sinai Peninsula – as well as its own internal challenges. Islamic State group weapons caches and training camps were targeted "to avenge the bloodshed and to seek retribution from the killers," a military statement said. "Let those far and near know that Egyptians have a shield to protect and safeguard the security of the country and a sword that cuts off terrorism." Read more: http://www.journalgazette.net/news/world/Egypt-seeks-help-after-its-airstrikes-in-Libya-5075064 WEB INDIA Egyptian ambassador to UK warns IS threat 'coming closer to Europe' Egyptian ambassador to the United Kingdom has warned that the Islamic State (IS) terror threat is "coming closer to Europe" claiming that the global community has failed to "snuff out" the militant group. According to Sky News, Nasser Kamel's statement came after the video showing the execution of 21 Egyptian Christians was released. Kamel said that the militant group is moving to Libya from Iraq and Syria. Read more: http://news.webindia123.com/news/Articles/India/20150217/2538161.html The Japan Times Egypt now West ally after IS air raids in Libya By targeting the Islamic State group with airstrikes in Libya, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, having crushed Islamist opponents at home, has become a key ally of the West against jihadis, experts say. His warplanes bombed IS camps and weapons stores in the Libyan city of Derna hours after the Sunni extremists released a gruesome video showing masked jihadis beheading 21 Egyptian Christians on a Libyan beach. The raids were the first time Egypt has announced military action against Islamist targets in its western neighbor, having previously denied it targeted militants there. "The airstrikes in Libya are an important new factor," said Zack Gold of the Tel Aviv-based Institute for National Security Studies. Read more: http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2015/02/17/world/egypt-now-west-ally-after-is-air-raids-in-libya/#.VOLkD_noRZ8 France 24 Egypt, France to conclude €5.2 billion deal for Rafale jets French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian arrived in Cairo on Monday to sign a €5.2 billion contract for the sale of 24 Rafale fighter jets to Egypt, a move that will finalise the first foreign order of the French-built warplanes. The deal comes despite concerns over France's decision to sell arms to a government accused of multiple human rights abuses. Le Drian arrived in Egypt's capital Cairo to sign the contract, which France hopes will lead to further sales of its premier combat jet. Read more: http://www.france24.com/en/20150216-france-egypt-sign-deal-sale-rafale-fighter-jets/
