Putin, el-Sisi agree on joint terror fight

MOSCOW - Reuters

Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi speaks to the media after a signing ceremony at the Ittihadiya presidential palace in Cairo, Egypt, in this November 19, 2015 file photo. REUTERS Photo

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi highlighted in a phone conversation yesterday that the fight against terrorists should continue not only in Syria but also in Libya and Yemen, the Kremlin said in a statement. 

Putin informed el-Sisi about the implementation of a Syria ceasefire agreement which the Russian leader said was key for stabilizing the situation in the country.   

Meanwhile, gunmen have kidnapped an Indian priest from an old people’s home they attacked last week in southern Yemen killing at least 15 people, local government and security officials said on March 6. 

The Indian Foreign Minister announced on her twitter account an Indian national identified as Father Tom Uzhunnalil had been “abducted by terrorists in Yemen.” 

The minister, Sushma Swaraj, added that officials in neighbouring Djibouti were trying to ascertain the whereabouts of Father Uzhunnalil “so that we can secure his release.” 

Officials in the local government of Aden confirmed that the priest had been kidnapped.