Scotland Yard delegation to visit Algeria

More than 50 British policemen arrived to Algeria on Monday few hours before the arrival of UK Prime Minister David Cameron on a two-day visit following a recent attack on a natural gas plant in In Amenas, south of Algeria, Echorouk has learnt.

The UK delegation is expected to open an investigation implicitly I the terrorist attack which killed six British nationals. British Petroleum company plans to assess internal security scheme of the gas facility, sources at the Houari Boumedien Airport told Echorouk.

Cameron’s visit was not scheduled in Algeria and the UK’s foreign ministries agenda. Four days after the attack, a delegation from the FBI arrived to Algeria bringing with them sensitive telecommunication devices.

The UK Prime Minister will meet Algerian officials led by President Abdelaziz Bouteflika and Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal.

He may visit the oil field to show that British Petroleum is resolved to stay operating in Algeria. Its investments volume in the country is estimated at more than $4 billion.

It will be Cameron’s first visit to Algeria. It comes as previous statements showed that the UK was comprehensive of the way in which Algeria ended the terrorist attack.

Earlier, Lord Richard Risby, Special Envoy for the Economic Partnership with Algeria said the attack would not affect economic relations between the UK and Algeria.