Messahel Says World Counterterrorism Forum to Be Announced in New York

A world forum on counterterrorism comprising 35 countries, including Algeria, is being created, Delegate Minister for African and Maghreb Affairs, Abdelkader Messahel, said on Sunday.

 “This forum of which first session is to be held in New York on 21 September, gathers countries enjoying capacities and experience in terms of contributing in the eradication of terrorism,” Mr Messahel told a press conference ahead of the conference on partnership, security and development between the Sahel countries and partners outside the region, to be held in Algiers on 7 and 8 September.

Mr Messahel indicated that “the Sahel region has been confronting a new situation caused by the crisis in Libya. This crisis would likely have repercussions on the region through the circulation of arms and the massif return of people to their countries of origin,” adding that such developments “has become source of preoccupation for these countries, which hardly posses mean to face this situation.”

The official further specified that that Algiers conference will be an opportunity for foreign ministers of the Algeria, Mali, Mauritania and Niger to discuss the situation and share information on the circulation of weapons and consider how to face such a situation.”