Algerian minister meets Assad in Damascus in rare visit

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has met with an Algerian minister in the Syrian capital, Damascus, local media reported.

The meeting was held on Monday, with President Assad thanking Algeria’s minister for the Arab League Abdelkader Messahel for the African country’s support of Damascus in the five-year-long conflict in Syria, the official SANA news agency reported.

They discussed about the “danger of terrorism and the need for unifying the efforts of all countries to fight this danger,” SANA reported.

Assad said that terrorism is not a local issue anymore as it has become part of a political game to undermine independent states.

The Syrian president also said his country is in a better situation and that the Syrians are committed to continuing the fight against terrorist groups in Syria.

Messahel also expressed Algeria’s solidarity with people in Syria and their commitment to fight against terrorist groups.

The Algerian minister also met with Syrian Prime Minister Wael al-Halqi, discussing about developing bilateral relations.

Algeria has systematically abstained in Arab League votes slapping sanctions on Syria.

Messahel told reporters after the meetings that Algeria supports the policy of not interfering in the affairs of other countries and said his country seeks political solution to the Syrian crisis.

Messahel’s visit to Damascus followed Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem’s visit to Algeria in March.

SS