France sells warships to Egypt, after Russia deal scrapped

French President Francois Hollande said today Egypt had agreed to buy two Mistral warships which France built for Russia before scrapping the sale over the Ukraine crisis.

The deal is the second big military contract this year between France and Egypt, which Hollande said he increasingly views as a strategic partner.

"It was my preferred buyer because we already have military cooperation with Egypt," Hollande said of the deal he struck with President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.

"Egypt plays an important role in the Middle East and wants to move towards a democratic transition, which is not easy, and we should support their efforts."