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.



Cairo May Request Extradition of Qaradawi’s Son from Abu Dhabi

Umayyad Square in Damascus (Reuters)
Umayyad Square in Damascus (Reuters)
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Cairo May Request Extradition of Qaradawi’s Son from Abu Dhabi

Umayyad Square in Damascus (Reuters)
Umayyad Square in Damascus (Reuters)

As Lebanese authorities proceed with the deportation of Egyptian activist Abdel Rahman al-Qaradawi, the son of the late cleric Yusuf al-Qaradawi, to the United Arab Emirates, an Egyptian source involved in the case told Asharq Al-Awsat that Cairo plans to formally request his extradition from Abu Dhabi once he arrives there.

Controversy has surrounded the case since Lebanon announced that the government had approved the deportation of Qaradawi to the UAE instead of Egypt, where he holds citizenship.

Former Lebanese Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour explained to Asharq Al-Awsat that citizenship is not an obstacle in extradition cases between countries, saying that a state may decide to extradite a person to another country even if they hold the nationality of a third state, as in the case of Qaradawi’s son.

According to Lebanese sources, the decision to extradite Qaradawi to the UAE is based on a warrant issued by the Council of Arab Interior Ministers. As a member of the council, Lebanon is obligated to comply with the UAE’s request, despite the absence of a direct bilateral extradition agreement between the two countries.

Additionally, the extradition decision was influenced by the fact that the charges against Qaradawi are criminal, not political, as political charges would prevent extradition and instead warrant protection under international conventions.

An Egyptian judicial source told Asharq Al-Awsat that the International Cooperation Office of Egypt’s Public Prosecutor had prepared a comprehensive file containing all rulings issued against Qaradawi to ensure that the extradition request met all legal requirements. This file was sent to Lebanese judicial authorities through official channels. However, Egypt has yet to receive a response from Lebanon, though one is expected in the coming days.

Dr. Mohammed Mahmoud Mehran, a member of the American and European societies for international law, told Asharq Al-Awsat that international law generally allows extradition when the individual is either a citizen of the requesting state, has committed a crime on its territory, or when the requesting state has a direct legal interest in the case.

As Qaradawi is an Egyptian citizen, Egypt “has the legal right to request his extradition under international law and bilateral agreements, provided all legal conditions are met,” Mehran said.

Meanwhile, Qaradawi’s lawyer, Mohammed Sablouh, confirmed plans to file an urgent appeal in Lebanese courts to prevent his client’s extradition, according to Reuters. Mehran explained that extradition laws grant the individual the right to appeal in court, while the requesting states also have the right to challenge decisions.

Mehran suggested that if Qaradawi is ultimately handed over to the UAE, it is highly likely he will later be extradited to Egypt after procedural requirements in the Emirates are fulfilled. This is due to the strong bilateral relations and close security coordination between Egypt and the UAE.

Abdel Rahman al-Qaradawi, who holds dual Egyptian and Turkish citizenship, was arrested in Lebanon on December 28 after returning from Syria. His arrest followed an Interpol red notice issued based on an in absentia ruling by an Egyptian court sentencing him to five years in prison for spreading false news, inciting violence, and terrorism. Before his arrest, Qaradawi appeared in a video filmed at the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, where he made remarks considered offensive to both Egypt and the UAE.