France condemns deadly attacks in Egypt's Sinai peninsula

France on Thursday denounced the attacks on checkpoints in Egypt's Sinai peninsula which left 19 people dead, among whom 17 are soldiers.

At a daily e-press briefing, the Foreign Ministry's spokesman Romain Nadal said France expressed its sympathy with Egyptian authorities and people, reiterating Paris' support of local authorities in their battle against terrorism.

Earlier on Thursday, unidentified militants fired automatic rifles and rockets on five checkpoints in Sheikh Zuweid city. Abother 19 people, including 10 civilians, were wounded in the attacks.

Sinai peninsula has seen a spate of attacks on security forces since the ouster of former Islamist President Mohamed Morsi by the army in 2013 in response to mass protests against his rule. Endit