The US Does Not Provide Financial Support to Islamist Parties in Algeria, Clinton

The United States has not provided financial support to any political party in Algeria, said Secretary of State, Rodham Hillary Clinton Saturday in Algiers.

Ms Clinton was responding to a question over the circulated information that the United States provides financial support to Islamist parties, in a press conference she held at the US Embassy in Algiers.

 “We don’t provide financial support to any political party in the world; yet, we tend to suggest working with parties to exchange ideas and support the organization of free, equal and reliable elections,” she explained.

Concerning the upcoming election in the North African nation, Ms Clinton said her country is ready to provide technical support. “If we are demanded, we would establish contacts with expert groups in order to work with authorities in Algeria ahead of next elections,” she said.

Hillary Clinton has arrived in Algeria on Saturday, and she has been welcomed at the Algiers International Airport by Foreign Minister Mourad Medelci.

Later on, she held talks with President Abdelaziz Bouteflika at the President Office in upper Algiers.

The two officials discussed “the consolidation of multiform bilateral relations between the two nations, amid political reforms underway in Algeria,” reads a statement of Algeria FM.

Issues like the upcoming parliament election in Algeria, the Maghreb integration, the situation in the region amid the Arab Spring and counterterrorism cooperation between the two nations, are also in the agenda, the source added.