Algiers – Algerian official on Friday denied being pressed to send counter-terrorism
troops to Mali and Niger, to track down terrorism.
In an interview with the Algerian national radio, Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdelkader Messahel said
“Algeria is immune from such attempts, because of its firm stance of refusing to interfere in the
internal affairs of other countries.”
“Algeria firmly believe in protecting its borders on its own and defending its security by fighting
terrorism,” he added, saying the task of defending the country’s border is “professionally” carried
out by Algerian army.
Messahel was reacting to international reports that France and the U. S. are pressing Algeria to engage in military operations against terrorist groups in the region.
Algeria “has always worked for mediation and supporting the option of dialogue and political solutions when it comes to dealing with crisis hitting neighboring nations,” said Messahel.
He explained that Algeria’s refusal to interfere in the hotbeds of tension does not mean that it is “closed to itself and does not contribute to the fight against terrorism.”
He stressed that Algeria is training a number of counter-terrorism elite troops in Mali and Niger, as well as providing logistical support and humanitarian assistance to the two countries.