Viewpoints between Algeria and Tunisia “perfectly, absolutely” convergent

APS – 02 February 2020

ALGIERS-Viewpoints between Algeria and Tunisia on regional and international issues, notably the crisis the Libya, are “perfectly and absolutely” convergent, affirmed President of the Republic, Abdelmadjid Tebboune affirmed Sunday. Speaking at a joint press conference following talks with his Tunisian counterpart Kaïs Saïed at the Presidency of the Republic, Tebboune said that the solution to the Libyan issue “must be Libyan-Libyan and the country must be protected from foreign interference and the influx of arms.”

Wishing to see Algeria and Tunisia “paving the way for the settlement of the crisis” in Libya, President Tebboune called for “meetings in Algiers or Tunis with all Libyans and all Libyan tribes in order to start a new era for the building of new institutions allowing the organization of general elections and the establishment of a new democratic Libyan state, on the condition that this proposal is accepted by the United Nations (UN).”

As regards his talks with President Kaïs Saïed, President Tebboune said that they “provided an opportunity to discuss the latest developments in the Palestinian question,” highlighting the “total convergence” of the two countries on the “rejection of the Deal of the Century and their commitment to an independent Palestinian state, on the basis of the 1967 borders, with al Quds as a capital.”

Furthermore, Tebboune said that “the fight against terrorism will continue by operationalizing all the mechanisms of counter-terrorism at the borders.” “The security and stability of Tunisia and Algeria are intrinsically linked,” he continued.

He said that he agreed with the Tunisian President “to develop border areas and economic complementarity between the two countries.” In this connection, the President of the Republic announced that he would visit Tunisia after the appointment of a new Tunisian Government, and that he would be accompanied “by a large government delegation in order to examine all the issues awaiting decisions from the two Presidents.”

“Algeria is ready to assist Tunisia which is going through a difficult situation, both financially and economically,” assured Tebboune who announced “the decision to deposit USD150 million in the Tunisian Central Bank and the continuation of payment facilities for gas and hydrocarbon supplies until Tunisia overcomes current difficulties.”