Russian Warship Visits Egypt for First Time in Decades

[Purveyor]

MOSCOW, November 11 (RIA Novosti) – The flagship of Russia’s Pacific Fleet, the Varyag missile cruiser, docked on Monday at the Mediterranean port of Alexandria, making it the first Russian warship to visit Egypt since 1992.

The Varyag’s arrival comes two days ahead of a visit by a Russian delegation led by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu to bolster military and political ties with Egypt.

During the six-day stay, the warship’s crew will exchange visits with local government and naval officials and take part in a series of cultural and sports events, said the Pacific Fleet’s spokesman, Capt. 1st Rank Roman Martov.

The Varyag, a Slava-class missile cruiser designed as a surface strike ship with anti-aircraft and anti-submarine capability, is currently part of Russia’s standing naval task force in the Mediterranean, which comprises some 10 warships from all four Russian fleets.

For Moscow, the improvement of ties with Egypt could signify a return in force to the Middle East while US diplomacy is failing all over the region.

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http://en.ria.ru/military_news/20131111/184643371/Russian-Warship-Visits-Egypt-for-First-Time-in-Decades.html

[dipsydoodle]

1. Egypt Eyes $4Bln Arms Deal With Russia

CAIRO, November 7 (RIA Novosti) – Egypt is considering spending up to $4 billion on advanced weaponry from Russia following the partial suspension of military aid and equipment deliveries from the United States, a Palestinian online newspaper said Thursday.

According to Donia Al-Watan, Moscow has offered Cairo “a historic deal giving Egypt an option to buy the most advanced weaponry without any restrictions.”

The sources cited by Donia Al-Watan, an independent Palestine territory-based online news outlet, claim that an undisclosed Persian Gulf country had agreed to provide financing.

The report comes on the eve of a visit to Egypt by a Russian military delegation led by Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. A source in the Russian Defense Ministry told RIA Novosti on Thursday that the delegation would visit Serbia and Egypt on November 12-15.

http://en.ria.ru/world/20131107/184576114/Egypt-Eyes-4Bln-Arms-Deal-With-Russia--Media.html