Le Drian visits Cairo, granted Egypt’s Order of the Republic

French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian arrived in Cairo yesterday and met with President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, Defense Minister Sedki Sobhi. El Sisi granted Le Drian Egypt’s Order of the Republic for his role in strengthening military cooperation between both countries, according to Al Masry Al Youm. For his part, Le Drian granted State for Military Production Minister Mohammed Al Assar the Légion d'Honneur. France 24 had called Le Drian, who oversaw the sale of French Rafale fighter jets and mistral-class helicopter carriers to Egypt, “France’s salesman” and “an oddity in the cabinet of President François Hollande” because of his popularity and success.