France’s Le Drian Urges Cooperation with Algeria after Crisis

Algeria's President Abdelmadjid Tebboune (R) meets with French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian (L) in Algiers. (AFP)
Algeria's President Abdelmadjid Tebboune (R) meets with French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian (L) in Algiers. (AFP)
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France’s Le Drian Urges Cooperation with Algeria after Crisis

Algeria's President Abdelmadjid Tebboune (R) meets with French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian (L) in Algiers. (AFP)
Algeria's President Abdelmadjid Tebboune (R) meets with French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian (L) in Algiers. (AFP)

France's top diplomat Jean-Yves Le Drian said cooperation with Algeria is "indispensable" for regional stability, during a visit to the former French colony.

"We are facing regional challenges, first and foremost terrorism," he said late Wednesday after meeting his counterpart Ramtane Lamamra and President Abdelmadjid Tebboune.

"So our cooperation on security and for the stabilization of the region is indispensable in the Mediterranean and in Africa."

Le Drian stressed the urgency of "the evolution of the situation in the Sahel and the need to relaunch the transition process in Libya".

France and Algeria have been attempting to improve their ties after a diplomatic crisis.

Algeria had withdrawn its ambassador in October after French President Emmanuel Macron accused Algeria's "political-military system" of rewriting history and fomenting "hatred towards France".

Le Drain had visited in December in order to repair the damage and the French ambassador returned in January.

On Wednesday, the foreign minister said Paris and Algiers were working on reviving bilateral relations "essential for each of our two countries and that we wish to maintain over the long term".

He also said Russia's invasion of Ukraine had "major consequences" for energy in Europe and for food security, including in Algeria.

Algeria is a major exporter of natural gas, which covers over 11 percent of Europe's needs, compared to Russia which makes up about 47 percent.

European countries have been trying to ramp up Algerian exports to reduce their reliance on Russia, but experts say the North African country has limited room for maneuver, partly due to its own soaring domestic needs.

Algeria did however sign a deal on Monday to boost exports to Italy by the Transmid undersea pipelie.



Israel Expands Drone Use in Southern Lebanon to Intercept Civilians

An armed Israeli drone flies over villages in southern Lebanon in July (Hezbollah Media)
An armed Israeli drone flies over villages in southern Lebanon in July (Hezbollah Media)
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Israel Expands Drone Use in Southern Lebanon to Intercept Civilians

An armed Israeli drone flies over villages in southern Lebanon in July (Hezbollah Media)
An armed Israeli drone flies over villages in southern Lebanon in July (Hezbollah Media)

Israeli drones are now being used for more than just tracking and targeting fighters in southern Lebanon. They’re also setting fires to forests, intimidating residents, and stopping cars at night to broadcast messages through loudspeakers.

Recent reports and social media videos show these new uses. In one troubling incident, an Israeli drone blocked a civilian in his car in the border town of Khallwat in the Hasbaya district, holding him for several minutes.

Local TV channel Al-Jadeed reported that an Israeli drone briefly held a civilian in his car and shone bright lights on him. The man was able to leave safely.

Other reports say the drone stopped the man early in the morning on his way home, using strong green lights that caused him pain.

The type of light used by the Israeli drone is not clear, but experts believe it’s not a laser.

Instead, it was likely a spotlight used to help the drone’s camera scan the driver’s face and collect information. This process involves a camera that captures the image and sends it to a computer where AI can identify the person quickly.

Experts tell Asharq Al-Awsat that Israel’s advanced technology means the bright light could be used for intimidation, to confirm the person’s identity, or to analyze body shape data.

They agree that the situation is concerning.

In another incident, a new video showed an Israeli drone dropping burning materials on forests near borders in Lebanon’s town of Adaisseh. The footage shows the drone releasing the substance, which started a fire.

Israeli drones with loudspeakers have been also flying over border villages, warning residents and broadcasting messages. Locals say the drones not only relay army statements but also insult Hezbollah and incite against the group.

This has been happening in multiple villages over the past month.

Moreover, Israeli warplanes have been striking the outskirts of Zibkin, Naqoura, and Wadi Hamoul, causing severe damage to property, crops, and forests.

The Israeli military also shelled the outskirts of Aita al-Shaab and hit areas around Naqoura and Alma al-Shaab with artillery fire.