MOSCOW. Aug 20 (Interfax) - Russia wants Egypt to play a leading role in strengthening regional security and stability in North Africa, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said.
"We are interested in Cairo having a leading position with regard to efforts to increase regional security and stability in North Africa," the minister said at a meeting of the joint Russian-Egyptian commission on military-technical cooperation on Monday.
Egypt was and remains Russia's most important partner in North Africa and in the Middle East, he said.
Cooperation between the two countries' defense ministries in countering terrorism will help strengthen security and stability in the region, Shoigu said.