Egypt, Italy to ink major arms deal despite human rights concerns

Italy is expected to approve its largest ever military deal with Egypt despite opposition from some Italian parties.
REFILE-CORRECTING BYLINE A man holds a placard during a vigil to commemorate Giulio Regeni, who was found murdered in Cairo a year ago, in downtown Rome, Italy January 25, 2017. REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi - RC15BEE20430
A man holds a placard during a vigil to commemorate Giulio Regeni, who was found murdered in Cairo in 2016, in downtown Rome, Italy, Jan. 25, 2017. - REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi
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A correspondent in Egypt

It seems the Italian government has temporarily backed away from a military deal with Egypt. Foreign Minister Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio said on June 10 that his country had not yet approved it, adding that the government is still weighing political considerations and analyzing the deal.

Italy’s news agency ANSA had reported June 8 that the Italian government approved the sale of two FREMM frigates to Egypt and that the top management of the Italian Fincantieri marine industries company was involved in the sale.

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