Algeria is efficient partner in fighting terrorism, says US counter terrorism coordinator
US State Department's coordinator for counterterrorism Daniel Benjamin
The US will prevent terrorists from exploiting popular revolutions and unrest in Arab countries, said the US State Department's coordinator for counterterrorism Daniel Benjamin on his two-day visit to Algeria.
- “The US is concerned about what is happening in the Arab region. Terrorists may exploit this situation but we will cooperate with the region’s countries to prevent them from benefiting from this unrest,” Daniel Benjamin told a news conference at the US embassy in Algiers.
- He also said the US intervention will not go beyond cooperation and coordination regarding information exchange about people’s travels and weapons movement.
- “Algiers has cooperated and committed with Washington to fight terrorism,” he added.
- “Security and economic situation in Algeria has improved for the last few years. The country is not that we knew, 15 years ago.”
- The US coordinator believes that Algeria’s success in fighting terrorism enabled it to achieve development and economic launch. “This can not be denied by any observer.”
- He said his country is concerned about the situation in the Sahel due to Kidnappings of Western tourists. “We should stay vigilant to some extent even if security region in the Sahel did not get worse.”
- He said counter-terrorism limited results in the Sahara are due to the region nature and borders with countries incapable of facing terrorist groups.
- He also said his country is grateful to Algeria’s role in helping foreign nationals stuck in Libya. “I respect the Algerian authorities’ position which rejects any interference in Libyan domestic affairs.
- Speaking about the emergence of accredited Islamic movements in Arab countries such as The Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt and Nahda movement in Tunisia, Benjamin said Washington accepts to deal with any party based on democracy.