Algeria-US Discuss Reinforcing ‘Strategic Partnership’

Secretary Antony J. Blinken receives Algerian counterpart in Washington. (AFP)
Secretary Antony J. Blinken receives Algerian counterpart in Washington. (AFP)
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Algeria-US Discuss Reinforcing ‘Strategic Partnership’

Secretary Antony J. Blinken receives Algerian counterpart in Washington. (AFP)
Secretary Antony J. Blinken receives Algerian counterpart in Washington. (AFP)

Secretary Antony J. Blinken said on Wednesday that the US and Algeria share important security, economic, people-to-people ties, and a lot of shared interests, “particularly when it comes to dealing with terrorism, and also advancing peace and security in the broad region and particularly, of course, in the Sahel.”

During his meeting with Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf in Washington, Blinken expressed aspirations to discuss the matters suggested by his Algerian counterpart in addition to electing Algeria as non-permanent member of the Security Council for the year 2024.

For his part, Attaf said that he met several years ago with the late Secretary Madeleine Albright.

“Since then, the relations between our two countries have come a long way in fulfilling the promises that we envisioned together.”

The Algerian foreign ministry revealed that the two officials discussed the situation in Niger, Mali, and Libya and reaffirmed the two countries’ support for peaceful solutions to these crises, in a way that spares the region the military option.

Attaf arrived in Washington on Wednesday upon an invitation by Blinken, said the ministry, adding that the two-day visit is part of efforts to reinforce economic cooperation and intensify political dialogue between Algeria and the US in a way that serves both parties’ aspiration of building a strategic partnership and advances their joint pledges regarding establishing stability in the region and the world.



Series of Israeli Airstrikes Rock Beirut’s Southern Suburbs

Smoke rises from Israeli airstrikes in Beirut's southern suburbs, Lebanon, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
Smoke rises from Israeli airstrikes in Beirut's southern suburbs, Lebanon, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
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Series of Israeli Airstrikes Rock Beirut’s Southern Suburbs

Smoke rises from Israeli airstrikes in Beirut's southern suburbs, Lebanon, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
Smoke rises from Israeli airstrikes in Beirut's southern suburbs, Lebanon, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

A fresh wave of air raids hit Beirut's southern suburbs in the early hours of Saturday as Israel stepped up attacks on Hezbollah, after a massive strike on the group’s command center that apparently targeted its leader Hassan Nasrallah.

Media reports said there were more than 40 separate airstrikes before dawn on Saturday. Fires raged from several locations, and smoke and flames were seen from above Beirut.

The Israeli military has made several evacuation orders.

Heavy strikes shook southern Beirut on Friday too. There was no immediate confirmation of Nasrallah's fate. The Lebanese armed group did not make a statement.

Instead, it announced that it had launched a salvo of rockets at the Israeli city of Safed, which it said was “in defense of Lebanon and its people, and in response to the barbaric Israeli violation of cities, villages and civilians.” The Israeli military said a house and a car in Safed were hit, and officials said a 68-year-old woman suffered mild shrapnel wounds.

The site hit Friday evening had not been publicly known as Hezbollah’s main headquarters, though it is located in the group’s “security quarters,” a heavily guarded part of Haret Hreik where it has offices and runs several nearby hospitals.

More than 720 people have been killed in Lebanon this week, according to Lebanon’s health ministry. Israel has dramatically escalated strikes, saying it is targeting Hezbollah’s military capacities and senior Hezbollah commanders.