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.



Smoke Rises from Beirut’s Southern Suburbs after Night of Israeli Attacks

Smoke rises from Israeli airstrikes in the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)
Smoke rises from Israeli airstrikes in the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)
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Smoke Rises from Beirut’s Southern Suburbs after Night of Israeli Attacks

Smoke rises from Israeli airstrikes in the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)
Smoke rises from Israeli airstrikes in the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

Smoke rose from Beirut’s southern suburbs Saturday morning and the streets were empty after the area was pummeled overnight by heavy Israeli airstrikes.

Attacks on alleged Hezbollah targets by fighter jets Friday continued into the early hours Saturday after the Israeli army said it told residents to evacuate several buildings it was targeting.

Explosions rocked Beirut’s southern suburbs, with flames lighting up the pre-dawn darkness. Fires raged from several locations, and smoke and flames were seen from above Beirut early Saturday.

Residents reported jets flying overhead.

In a short statement, the Israeli military described the sites it hit as belonging to Hezbollah.

Shelters set up in the city center for people displaced by the onslaught were overflowing. Many families slept in public squares and beaches, or in their cars. On the roads leading to the mountains above the capital, hundreds of people could be seen making an exodus on foot, holding infants and whatever belongings they could carry.

The Israeli military said a missile fired at central Israel on Saturday had struck an open area. Earlier, the military said about 10 projectiles had crossed from Lebanon into Israeli territory and that some had been intercepted.

The Israeli military also said it was striking Hezbollah targets in the Bekaa Valley, a region of eastern Lebanon at the Syrian border that it has pounded over the last week.

On Saturday, an airstrike also hit the Lebanese mountain town of Bhamdoun, southeast of Beirut.

The strike hit a large empty lot and did not cause any casualties.