US Africa Command (AFRICOM) Commander US Army General Stephen Townsend has met with Algerian President Abdelmajid Tebboune to discuss regional security issues and cooperation.
“We have a lot we can learn and share with each other. Strengthening this relationship is very important to us,” the US embassy in Algiers quoted Townsend as saying.
“Algeria is a committed counterterrorism partner. Degrading violent extremist organizations, malign activity, and enhancing regional stability is a mutual must,” Townsend added.
During the visit, the US delegation led by Townsend met with a number of Algerian leaders, including Chief of Defense Lt. Gen. Said Chanegriha and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sabri Boukadoum.
A Defense Ministry statement said the two sides discussed military cooperation and exchanged viewpoints on issues of common interest.
Chanegriha expressed hope that the talks would be prosperous and open up new horizons.
After years of confronting terrorists, the Algerian army has been able to eradicate terrorism but paid a heavy human price for it, the statement quoted him as saying.
“Algeria defeated terrorism on its own without any foreign assistance due to the determination of its armed forces and close coordination between different security agencies,” he added.