Algeria to Reopen Border Crossing with Libya

Algerian Foreign Minister Sabri Boukadoum. EPA
Algerian Foreign Minister Sabri Boukadoum. EPA
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Algeria to Reopen Border Crossing with Libya

Algerian Foreign Minister Sabri Boukadoum. EPA
Algerian Foreign Minister Sabri Boukadoum. EPA

Algerian Foreign Minister Sabri Boukadoum has said his country was finalizing logistical and technical preparations for the reopening of the Debdeb-Ghadames border crossing with Libya.

Boukadoum and Libyan Minister of Economy and Trade Mohamed Al-Hawij held on Saturday a press conference on the sidelines of the Algerian-Libyan Economic Forum.

The two countries are also finalizing the reopening of the maritime link between Algiers and Tripoli for the transportation of goods, Boukadoum said.

He renewed "Algeria's full support to the efforts of the Libyan authorities, represented by the Presidential Council and the Government of National Unity in order to restore political and security stability in Libya, achieve national reconciliation among all the Libyan people, and unify and strengthen state institutions."

He called for “holding free and fair general elections that preserve the Libyan territory’s integrity and unity, and put Libya back on the track of reconstruction, prosperity, and growth.”

"Algeria has hosted all the Libyan warring parties, from across the political spectrum, to bridge differences and find consensual solutions that the Libyans themselves must implement to protect their country from expansionism and foreign interference," he added.

Boukadoum reiterated that Algeria has taken measures to provide a legal and institutional framework for all businesspersons from both countries to implement projects for the benefit of the Libyan and Algerian people.



Hezbollah Urges Lebanese State to Push for Israel’s Pullout

A United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) vehicle drives as residents who were displaced because of the hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel return to the Lebanese village of Khiam, near the border with Israel, southern Lebanon, January 23, 2025. REUTERS/Karamallah Daher
A United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) vehicle drives as residents who were displaced because of the hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel return to the Lebanese village of Khiam, near the border with Israel, southern Lebanon, January 23, 2025. REUTERS/Karamallah Daher
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Hezbollah Urges Lebanese State to Push for Israel’s Pullout

A United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) vehicle drives as residents who were displaced because of the hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel return to the Lebanese village of Khiam, near the border with Israel, southern Lebanon, January 23, 2025. REUTERS/Karamallah Daher
A United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) vehicle drives as residents who were displaced because of the hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel return to the Lebanese village of Khiam, near the border with Israel, southern Lebanon, January 23, 2025. REUTERS/Karamallah Daher

Hezbollah said on Thursday that Israel has to completely withdraw from Lebanon as the 60-day period in a ceasefire deal comes to an end, adding that the Lebanese state should push for guarantee for the withdrawal.

The Iran-backed group also said in a statement that it was following developments and any breach to the agreement would not be accepted.

Israel and Hezbollah agreed in November to an American- and French-mediated ceasefire, bringing an end to more than a year of fighting. Under the deal, Israeli forces were to withdraw from Lebanon and Hezbollah forces were to withdraw from south of the Litani river over the 60-day period ending next Monday morning.

Hezbollah said in its statement that it was the Lebanese state’s responsibility to act and press the countries sponsoring the ceasefire agreement should Israel delay its military pullout from south Lebanon.

Caretaker National Defense Minister Maurice Sleem on Thursday met with acting Army Commander Major General Hassan Audi at his office in Yarzeh to discuss the situation in southern Lebanon and the implementation stages of the ceasefire arrangements.

Sleem reaffirmed Lebanon's firm position on the necessity of the Israeli troop withdrawal from the South in line with the ceasefire deadline of January 26.

Speaker Nabih Berri also discussed the matter with head of the Ceasefire Monitoring Committee, US General Jasper Jeffers, in Ain al-Tineh.

Discussions reportedly focused on developments on the Israeli withdrawal from remaining occupied territories in southern Lebanon, as well as Israeli violations of the ceasefire agreement and UN Resolution 1701.