MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The statement followed a telephone conversation between Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shukry. The call came a day after after the Islamic State (ISIL) group released a video of a brutal beheading of 21 Egyptian Coptic Christians in Libya.
"Sergei Lavrov expressed deep condolences over the tragedy and reiterated Russia's readiness to join Egypt in counteracting the terror threat," the statement reads.
After the video was released Sunday, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah As-Sisi said Cairo reserved the right "to respond in any way" to this outrageous act of violence.
Following President's statement, Egypt conducted a series of airstrikes on ISIL positions in Libya, counting at 40 to 50 militants dead, the country's state television reported.