Algerian President, Jordanian King Sign 5 Cooperation Agreements

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune awarded Jordan's King Abdallah the national order of merit "El-Athir" (APZ)
Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune awarded Jordan's King Abdallah the national order of merit "El-Athir" (APZ)
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Algerian President, Jordanian King Sign 5 Cooperation Agreements

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune awarded Jordan's King Abdallah the national order of merit "El-Athir" (APZ)
Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune awarded Jordan's King Abdallah the national order of merit "El-Athir" (APZ)

Jordan's King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein met with Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and signed five cooperation agreements in various sectors.

Abdullah arrived Saturday in Algiers for a two-day visit at the invitation of the Algerian President.

The Algerian presidency said in a statement that the two leaders held "private talks" without providing further details about the talks.

The agreements included a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on bilateral political consultations, an agreement on the mutual visa exemption for holders of diplomatic passports, and an MoU between the two countries' diplomatic institutes.

It also included a draft memorandum of understanding between the Jordan Institute of Diplomacy and the Algeria Institute of Diplomacy and International Relations, a cooperation program between Petra News Agency and the Algerian Press Service, and the mutual recognition of maritime qualification certificates for seafarers, education program, and level of maritime training between the two countries.

At his residence in Algiers' western suburbs, King Abdullah received Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Said Chanegriha, Prime Minister Aymen Benabderrahmane, President of the People's National Assembly Brahim Boughali, and speaker of the upper house of parliament Salah Goudjil.

The President awarded King Abdullah the national order of merit "El-Athir," said the Presidency in a statement.

Later, the Jordanian monarch visited the "Martyr's Shrine," where he paid respects to the martyrs of the liberation revolution (1954-1962).

The state-owned newspaper, el-Masaa, reported that the King's visit is expected to give a new push to bilateral ties, especially in the economic aspect, as the two countries prepare for the upcoming meetings of the Joint Higher Committee.

The newspaper pointed out that the visit constitutes an opportunity to embody the common will to push bilateral relations to higher levels based on solid ground for cooperation.

The newspaper quoted Algerian Foreign Minister Ramtane Lamamra, during his meeting with Jordan's foreign minister Ayman Safadi in October, that many bilateral agreements need to be activated and implemented.

The two countries are discussing ways to establish a real and sustainable partnership in various fields to face future economic challenges, said el-Masaa.



US Defers Removal of Some Lebanese, Citing Israel-Hezbollah Tensions

Smoke billows from a site targeted by Lebanon's Hezbollah, along the northern Israeli border with Lebanon on July 25, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (AFP)
Smoke billows from a site targeted by Lebanon's Hezbollah, along the northern Israeli border with Lebanon on July 25, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (AFP)
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US Defers Removal of Some Lebanese, Citing Israel-Hezbollah Tensions

Smoke billows from a site targeted by Lebanon's Hezbollah, along the northern Israeli border with Lebanon on July 25, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (AFP)
Smoke billows from a site targeted by Lebanon's Hezbollah, along the northern Israeli border with Lebanon on July 25, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (AFP)

The United States is deferring the removal of certain Lebanese citizens from the country, President Joe Biden said on Friday, citing humanitarian conditions in southern Lebanon amid tensions between Israel and Hezbollah.

The deferred designation, which lasts 18 months, allows Lebanese citizens to remain in the country with the right to work, according to a memorandum Biden sent to the Department of Homeland Security.

"Humanitarian conditions in southern Lebanon have significantly deteriorated due to tensions between Hezbollah and Israel," Biden said in the memo.

"While I remain focused on de-escalating the situation and improving humanitarian conditions, many civilians remain in danger; therefore, I am directing the deferral of removal of certain Lebanese nationals who are present in the United States."

Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah have been trading fire since Hezbollah announced a "support front" with Palestinians shortly after its ally Hamas attacked southern Israeli border communities on Oct. 7, triggering Israel's military assault in Gaza.

The fighting in Lebanon has killed more than 100 civilians and more than 300 Hezbollah fighters, according to a Reuters tally, and led to levels of destruction in Lebanese border towns and villages not seen since the 2006 Israel-Lebanon war.

On the Israeli side, 10 Israeli civilians, a foreign agricultural worker and 20 Israeli soldiers have been killed. Tens of thousands have been evacuated from both sides of the border.