Algeria revives its diplomatic alliance with Riyadh

Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika Tuesday received Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince and interior minister Muhammad bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. This is seen as an attempt to turn the page about a number of regional issues.

Muhammad bin Nayef’s visit has been the most important visit paid by a Saudi official to Algeria since the so-called silent crisis was triggered. Algiers stood by a political solution in Syria while Riyadh supported the armed opposition to topple the Assad regime.

Earlier, President Bouteflika assigned his personal advisor Tayeb Belaiz to Riyadh and denied any conflict between the two countries. 

Algerian Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal paid a visit to Saudi Arabia. He announced that the “Algerian people will defend the holy places against any terror threats.”

Earlier on Sunday, Qatar’s emir Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani visited Algeria. National news agency APS did not report the reasons behind the visit. It is likely that it dealt with the reinforcement of cooperation between the two countries.

Algerian foreign minister Ramtane Lamamra received the Ghanaian President’s special envoy. They discussed about issues related to the situation in Africa and  common interest issues including the Western Sahara issue.