Region: Egypt finalises French warship deal

President François Hollande has confirmed that France is selling Egypt two Mistral-class amphibious assault ships, originally built for Russia but not delivered because of the Ukraine crisis (Paris has repaid a $1.3bn advance). During the European Union’s 22 September refugee crisis summit in Brussels, Hollande told reporters that he and President Abdel Fattah El Sisi had “agreed on the price and conditions”. The deal represents another big win for French defence sales. The ships are expected to be used with the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen.