Mauritanian president, Algerian FM meet in Nouakchott

By Abdel Razek Abdallah

NOUAKCHOTT (AA) - Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz on Thursday held talks in Nouakchott with Algerian Foreign Minister Abdelkader Messahel, who is currently touring Africa’s north-central Sahel region.

At a press conference held after the meeting, Messahel told reporters that he and the Mauritanian president had discussed the latest political developments and the region’s ongoing fight against terrorism, organized crime and illegal migration.

Within this context, the Algerian FM called for stepped-up coordination between the two neighboring countries.

Algeria’s southern city of Tamanrasset currently serves as headquarters for a regional coalition tasked with combating terrorism. Along with Algeria, the coalition includes Mauritania, Niger, Chad and Mali.

Messahel also announced that, in coming days, a new border crossing would be opened linking Algeria’s Tindouf province to the Mauritanian city of Zouerat.

The new crossing, he said, “will serve to strengthen relations between residents of the border areas and open the door to increased economic and trade exchanges between our two countries”.

On Wednesday, Messahel began a tour of Africa’s Sahel region that will also include stops in Chad, Mali and Niger.