
French defence minister visits troops in Mali
French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian on Thursday visited French troops in northern Mali, where the military says they have killed 150 Islamist rebels over the past month. ... more
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Target Israel: Jihadists gather in Sinai
As Egypt struggles to head off another bout of political violence, Islamist militants, many of them linked to al-Qaida, are establishing a stronghold in the vastness of the Sinai Peninsula with a steady supply of looted armed from Libya, and Israel as their target. ... more
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Russia arms firms bag Iraq, chase Libya
Iraq's decision to stick to a $4.3 billion arms deal with Russia is good news for Moscow as it strives to restore its Cold War influence in the Middle East and is hustling to sell Libya, another former client also under new management, its latest weapons systems. ... more
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France believes French hostages in Sahel still alive
France's defence minister said Monday there was "every reason to believe" French hostages being held in the Sahel were still alive, while there was "no proof" that two top Islamist militants had been killed in Mali. ... more
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China's Xi to visit S.Africa this month
China's incoming president Xi Jinping will visit regional economic powerhouse South Africa this month, the foreign ministry said Thursday, a highly symbolic trip that will come soon after he takes up the post. ... more
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