Egypt's Sisi and Italian FM vow to continue 'strong cooperation against terrorism

Egyptian president Abdel Fattah El-Sisi meeting with Italian Foreign minister on July 13, 2015

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi discussed on Monday with Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni means of combatting terrorism, issues related to the Libyan crisis and solutions for the increasing numbers of illegal immigrants into Europe, the Egyptian presidency said.

Gentiloni arrived in Cairo on Monday for a one-day to visit to meet with El-Sisi and Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukri two days after a car bomb attack against the Italian consulate in Cairo.

The Saturday morning attack destroyed parts of the consulate's facade, and left an Egyptian street vendor dead and ten others injured.

The Italian FM told the Egyptian president that his country sees the terrorist attack on the Italian consulate as a "failed attempt" to weaken the strong ties that bind Rome and Cairo, the Egyptian presidency's spokesperson said in a statement on Monday evening.

El-Sisi expressed to Gentiloni Egypt's appreciation for Italy's support to the country's effort to combat terrorism.

The Egyptian president stressed to the Italian FM that the "terrorist groups" have not only been operating in Egypt but also in foreign countries.

He also stressed in  the meeting the importance of international cooperation to face the threat of terrorism, saying that terrorist groups coordinate internationally on an ideological and logistical level.

The spokesperson added that El-Sisi warned of dire consequences resulting from the deterioration of security conditions in Libya.

Rebel Libyan militias have been fighting the internationally recognised central government in Tobrouk in a civil war that has ravaged the country.

El-Sisi called on the international community to heed Egypt's plea for world leaders to lend urgent support to the Libyan army's efforts to stop the flow of money, arms and foreign fighters into Libyan territories.

The Egyptian president and the Italian FM also discussed issues related to illegal immigration from North Africa across the Mediterranean.