Algeria is against sectarianism and its relations with the Gulf countries and Saudi Arabia are good

The official spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abdelaziz Benali Chérif denied what was reported by some Iranian media about the content of the recently-held meeting of the visiting Iranian Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance, Reza Amir Salhi, with the Prime Minister, Abdelmalek Sellal, stressing that the encounter’s outcome wasn’t identical to the truth notably regarding the various topics dealt with and the statements made during this meeting”.

In response to a question by APS on what some Iranian media outlets reported about the content of this meeting, Mr. Abdelaziz Benali Chérif stated: “It is worth noting first of all that what some Iranian media reported about the content of the talks that took place during the audience granted to the Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance of Iran by the Prime Minister is nothing more than an improper transfer and a false conclusion that is not identical to the truth as to the topics evoked and the statements made during this meeting, which was based mainly on the importance to be given by the Algerian and Iranian parties to the cultural aspects In order to consolidate the friendly relations and cooperation ties between the two countries”.
This meeting, he added, “was  an opportunity for the prime minister to express Algeria’s hope that Iran will play a positive role in its environment and be a stabilizing factor in the Middle East and the Arabian Gulf.”
“While emphasizing the good quality of the relations between Algeria and all the Arab countries in the Gulf and the Levant, especially with the sisterly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” he expressed “conviction that only dialogue can overcome the current situational problems”.
The official spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also pointed out that the Prime Minister affirmed “Algeria’s respect for all religions and all denominations and its conviction of the importance and necessity of communication and building bridges among them”.
The Prime Minister highlighted Algeria’s utter determination to continue its steadfast efforts to combat the scourge of terrorism and sectarianism and to sensitize its partners to the danger posed to international security and stability and the need to mobilize all possible energies to confront and uproot it.
The foreign affairs ministry’s clarifications followed the some erroneous media interpretations that put Algeria at the center of the sectarian and political alignment close to Tehran at the expense of its good relations with the Gulf States.