French press review 17 February 2015

Will there be international intervention in Libya? Is the Rafale sale a milestone in Franco-Egyptian relations? Will PSG dazzle us?

The front page of Libération has the headline “Libya: the new front” referring to the beheading of 21 Egyptian Coptic Christians by the Islamic State (IS) armed group in Libya.

It says that the IS are prospering in the middle of the chaos in Libya, adding that the killings poses the question of international intervention even as Egypt launches aerial strikes against the Islamic State armed group in Libya.

Continuing with its coverage of the situation in Libya, the left-leaning daily says that the country is gradually getting taken over by IS.

Reporting on the situation in the capital Tripoli, it quotes a former bodyguard of the Japanese ambassador as saying that he will do all he can to leave the country as it has become too dangerous.

The report also states that coffee-shop chains and hotels in the capital Tripoli are abandoned for fear of an attack and that even the Italian embassy suspended its activities on Sunday because of the worsening security conditions.

It adds that several cities, including two on the coast located close to the major oil infrastructure in the country, are already under IS rule and that oil, which makes up 90 per cent of Libya's income, could be their next target.

Le Figaro, too, leads with the coverage of the situation in Libya. '”What should the response be?” its headline asks.

In its front-page editorial, headlined “Barbarity at our doors'”, the paper states that the first targets of IS are Jews and Christians and that the attacks on synagogues and Jewish schools are marked by the same hatred.

The editorial urges the international community to act against the militants and end the chaos in Libya.

It says that since these events took place in a country which is located just on the other side of the Mediterranean, the barbarity has reached our doors and that we don't have a choice but to act.

The right-wing daily also carries a report on the signing of a contract to sell French-made Rafale fighter jets to Egypt.

The 5.2-billion-euro deal for 24 Rafale fighters was signed in the presence of Egyptian President Abdel Fatah Al Sisi and French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian.

The paper says that the contract is a milestone in the relationship between France and Egypt.

Sports daily L’Equipe’s front page features a full page photograph of Paris St Germain players under the headline ‘Dazzle Us!’

This is in reference to the big-ticket Champions League pre-quarter-final match between Paris St Germain and Chelsea that takes place tonight in the French capital.

This is the second consecutive year when PSG and Chelsea are clashing in round of 16 of the Champions League.

The coverage continues on pages two and three with an infographic on key players Zlatan Ibrahimovic of PSG and Eden Hazard of Chelsea, among other things.

There is also a feature on Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho that recounts his history of matches against French clubs since his managerial stint at Porto 11 years ago.