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France has confirmed a deal to sell 24 Rafale combat jets to Egypt in a deal worth €5bn euros (£3.7bn; $5.7bn).

The deal is a breakthrough for the French defence firm Dassault which has spent years trying to win an export order for the fighter jet.

The deal also includes a naval frigate and related military equipment.

France has benefited from a push by Egypt's President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi to upgrade the nation's military hardware.

Last year France won a contract to sell Egypt four frigates in a €1bn deal - its first big contract from Egypt in around 20 years.

A statement from the office of French President Francois Hollande confirmed the latest deal and said it would be signed in Cairo on Monday by French defence minister Jean-Yves Drian.

France is hoping to sell 126 of the Rafale jets to India, but the deal has yet to be finalised.