Algeria Won’t Turn Its Back to Libyans, PM Ouyahia

Algeria will not turn its back to the new Libya, Prime Minister Ahmed Ouyahia said Tuesday.

At the sidelines of the congratulating President Abdelaziz Bouteflika for the 57th anniversary of the outbreak of the Algerian Revolution, Mr Ouyahia told reporters that Algeria’s positions towards several issues, including terrorism, have always been positive.

He said the North African nation was among the first countries to warn against the threat of terrorism, and yet stressed on the fact to deal “righteously” with security related issues.

The PM further underlined that the security of the Algerian territory is “assured” and the citizens “can be reassured,” in reference to the regional conjuncture and its possible impact on Algeria.

He indicated that “The battle against terrorism has, unfortunately, permitted to Algeria to gain experience; I said “unfortunately” because we wished our country had not endured terrorism.”

Mr Ouyahia further mentioned that the competent authorities are closely following up the issue of the kidnapping of three Western aid workers in Sahrawi refugee camp in Tindouf, south west of Algeria, noting that “I’d say that this hostage crisis should be dealt carefully for the security of the kidnapped.”

As for the future of relationships between Algeria and the post Gaddafi Libya, the official said “I say it once again: Libya is a brotherly and a neighboring nation, to which we won’t turn our back,” adding: “We have to live together, because we cannot leave our countries!”