A Rafale fighter jet prepares to land at the air base in Saint-Dizier February 13, 2015. France's President said Egypt would order 24 Rafale fighter jets, a naval frigate and related military equipment in a deal to be signed in Cairo on Monday worth more than 5 billion euros ($5.70 billion). The contract would make Egypt, aiming to upgrade its military hardware amid fears the crisis in neighbouring Libya could spill over, the first export customer for the warplane, built by Dassault Aviation. REUTERS/Charles Platiau (FRANCE - Tags: TRANSPORT BUSINESS MILITARY POLITICS)[/caption]Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry on Monday said airstrikes carried out by the Egyptian military on Libya were part of his country's right to self-defense.
Following the video that was released yesterday, a striking and accurate reaction was needed, Shoukry told Al Arabiya News Channel, in reference to footage released by militant group ISISshowing the grisly execution of 21 Coptic Christian hostages.
They [the airstrikes] are part of Egypt's right to self-defense in order protect our children, he said, this is a matter that needs to be understood.
Shoukrys statements came after Egypt's military carried out a series of airstrikes against ISIS targets in Libya in retaliation for the slaughter of the Egyptian Christians.
During the interview, Shoukry said Egypt always had an important role in fighting [ISIS] given its regional positioning, its military capabilities as well as its religious institutions.
Egypt is not officially a member of the U.S.-led coalition charged with combatting ISIS in Iraq and Syria, but it has called on the alliance to broaden the scope of their operations to include Libya.
Shoukry also said that the presence of terror groups such as ISIS in the region is preventing stability in the area.
The latest killings in Libya highlight the growing presence of the extremist group in North Africa.
The 21 Egyptian Christians were reportedly kidnapped in the Libyan coastal city of Sirte in two separate incidents in December and January.
They were reportedly from impoverished villages and went to Libya looking for work.
By Al Arabiya
