Algerian President in Italy Discusses Energy, Renewed Clashes in Libya

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune (APZ)
Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune (APZ)
TT

Algerian President in Italy Discusses Energy, Renewed Clashes in Libya

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune (APZ)
Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune (APZ)

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune discussed in Italy the European need for gas, the renewed clashes in Libya, illegal migration, the instability in the Sahel region, and the war on terrorism.

Earlier, Tebboune announced that his country was determined to adopt the Italian experience to establish small and medium enterprises.

The Algerian presidency had announced in a statement that Tebboune would start a three-day state visit to Italy on Wednesday at the invitation of his Italian counterpart, Sergio Mattarella.

"This visit is of paramount importance to the historical friendship relations and the development of bilateral ties in various fields, particularly business cooperation. The visit is also part of the new vision of the two heads of state and their willingness to give a fresh impetus to dialogue and strategic cooperation between the two neighboring and sisterly countries," said the statement.

It also aims to create a new dynamic for dialogue and strategic cooperation between the two neighboring and friendly countries.

The statement did not refer to the matters discussed between Tebboune and Italy’s President and Prime Minister Mario Draghi.

However, diplomatic sources confirmed that several issues would be addressed, namely the partnership with Italy to transfer its experience in small and medium enterprises.

Algeria wants SMEs as a pillar for its economic launch after it pledged to supply all of Rome's gas needs to replace Russian gas that was suspended due to the Ukraine crisis.

Furthermore, the sources highlighted that both Algeria and Italy are concerned about the situation in Libya and the return of hostilities between the warring parties.

They agreed on the need to hold general elections as the only solution to restore stability in the country.

On the issue of illegal migrants, the two sides explained that Algeria wants to boost its cooperation with Italy to stop the flow of illegal migrants, which has become a source of great concern for the two governments.

Meanwhile, the Italian Ambassador to Algeria, Giovanni Polizzi, stressed the importance of Tebboune's visit to Italy, noting that the intensity and frequency of bilateral visits at the highest level certainly reflect the excellent level of bilateral relations between Italy and Algeria.

In an interview with the El-Khabar newspaper, Polizzi recalled many important examples of Italian investments in Algeria.

"There are important examples of Italian investments in Algeria: I am naturally thinking of the hydrocarbons sector (with the main role of Eni), but also of the steel industry, defense, or, more recently, renewable energies," said the ambassador.

Polizzi added that Italy is committed to increasing the volume of investments and that Rome follows with interest the developments after implementing the new investment law, hoping to improve the business climate.



Lebanon's Speaker Sets Jan. 9 Date to Elect President

FILED - 01 October 2020, Lebanon, Beirut: Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament Nabih Berri speaks during a press conference. Photo: Hassan Ibrahim/Lebanese Parliament/dpa
FILED - 01 October 2020, Lebanon, Beirut: Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament Nabih Berri speaks during a press conference. Photo: Hassan Ibrahim/Lebanese Parliament/dpa
TT

Lebanon's Speaker Sets Jan. 9 Date to Elect President

FILED - 01 October 2020, Lebanon, Beirut: Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament Nabih Berri speaks during a press conference. Photo: Hassan Ibrahim/Lebanese Parliament/dpa
FILED - 01 October 2020, Lebanon, Beirut: Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament Nabih Berri speaks during a press conference. Photo: Hassan Ibrahim/Lebanese Parliament/dpa

Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri set a Jan. 9 date for lawmakers to elect the country's president, the state news agency (NNA) reported on Thursday.
Lebanon has not had a president or a fully empowered cabinet since October 2022 due to a power struggle.

Israel's offensive against Hezbollah in Lebanon had prompted a renewed bid by some leading Lebanese politicians to fill the two-year-long presidential vacuum.

A ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah took effect on Wednesday under a deal brokered by the US and France, allowing people in both countries to start returning to homes in border areas shattered by 14 months of fighting.

Berri has said that, once there's a ceasefire, he supported the election of a president who doesn't represent "a challenge" to anyone.

The presidency is decided by a vote in Lebanon's 128-seat parliament. No single political alliance has enough seats to impose its choice, meaning an understanding among rival blocs is needed to secure the election of a candidate.