Criticised for Egypt ties, France to raise human rights with al-Sisi

FILE PHOTO: Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi (R) shakes hands with then French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian at the Ittihadiya presidential palace in Cairo, Egypt February 28, 2017 in this handout picture courtesy of the Egyptian Presidency. The Egyptian Presidency/Handout via REUTERS

PARIS (Reuters) - President Emmanuel Macron, conscious of criticism of France's policy on Egypt, will raise his concerns over human rights when he meets Egyptian leader Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Paris next week, his office said on Thursday.

The two countries have nurtured closer economic and military ties in recent years and with Sisi's rise to power that relationship has improved with both sides concerned by the political vacuum in Libya and the threat from jihadist groups in Egypt.