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Algerian President, Italian PM Discuss Energy, ‘Partnership with Africa’

A picture of the Algerian and Italian presidents in May. (Algerian presidency)
A picture of the Algerian and Italian presidents in May. (Algerian presidency)
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Algerian President, Italian PM Discuss Energy, ‘Partnership with Africa’

A picture of the Algerian and Italian presidents in May. (Algerian presidency)
A picture of the Algerian and Italian presidents in May. (Algerian presidency)

Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is set to hold meetings on Sunday and Monday in Algeria with senior officials to discuss energy and illegal immigration.

Rome wants Algeria to play the “gendarme” role in combating the hundreds of illegal migrants arriving at the Italian shores annually.

The Italian PM talks in Algeria would focus on energy, the electrical industry, SMEs, emerging companies, and education.

Algerian political sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that the top issues on the agenda are illegal immigration and the growing Italian need for Algerian gas to substitute Russian gas.

Algeria became the main gas supplier to Italy after the war erupted in Ukraine.

Meloni would meet Algerian Prime Minister Ayman bin Abdel Rahma and Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune.

Local media sources reported that the visit will also witness the signing of several agreements that include SMEs. Further consultations would be made considering the launch of cars' manufacturing in Algeria – a sector that is suffering from severe shortages.

Algeria stopped the import of cars four years ago, which caused an accumulation in local demand and a record hike in used cars' prices.

In another context, Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Antonio Tajani and Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi visited Tunisia on Wednesday to discuss cooperation in combating human trafficking.

Observers expect Algeria to be a key partner to Italy as part of a plan announced by Meloni in October to strengthen ties with Africa.

Meloni accused the French of unfairly exploiting Africa’s natural resources and raw materials, which spurred the migration of Africans to Europe.

“The solution is not to transfer Africans to Europe but to liberate Africa from some Europeans,” according to Meloni.

In a harsh statement addressing French President Emmanuel Macron, she said: “don’t come to teach us lessons, Macron, the Africans are abandoning their country because of you.”

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Arab World

Baghdad Urges Washington to Prevent ‘Imminent’ Israeli Strikes

Sudani visiting a market in Baghdad on Thursday (Government media)
Sudani visiting a market in Baghdad on Thursday (Government media)
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Baghdad Urges Washington to Prevent ‘Imminent’ Israeli Strikes

Sudani visiting a market in Baghdad on Thursday (Government media)
Sudani visiting a market in Baghdad on Thursday (Government media)

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani on Thursday called on major powers to “exert greater efforts to end the war in Palestine and Lebanon.” Meanwhile, an Iraqi government official urged the United States to “prevent any attacks on the country,” referring to potential Israeli strikes.
During a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Al-Sudani stressed the importance of ensuring the conflict does not escalate “to a level that threatens regional and global stability.”
The Iraqi prime minister’s appeal comes amid reports suggesting that Israel may launch strikes on Iraq in retaliation for attacks by Iraqi armed factions targeting Israeli positions.
The Iraqi government is striving to assert its exclusive authority over weapons and war-related decisions. However, armed factions affiliated with the Axis of Resistance openly claim responsibility for near-daily rocket attacks on Israel. This has provided Israel with a justification for potentially targeting Iraqi territory, especially after it filed a complaint with the UN Security Council against six Iraqi factions and held Baghdad responsible for the attacks.
These factions have also openly declared their involvement in the ongoing conflict with Israel in Lebanon and Gaza. The Iraqi government has been unable to take decisive action to halt the activities of these factions, which many believe could soon expose Iraq to an Israeli strike.
According to media reports, Washington has warned Baghdad that Israeli airstrikes on Iraq are “imminent” unless the Iraqi government curtails attacks by Iranian-backed factions on Israel. The Times of Israel cited sources indicating that the United States has “exhausted all means of pressure on Israel” and urged Iraq to act swiftly to prevent such attacks.
Despite repeated assurances from the Iraqi government—including its recent adoption of 12 measures by the National Security Council to counter Israeli threats and complaints—the situation remains tense. These measures include monitoring Iraq’s western borders, preventing factions from launching attacks, and maintaining Iraq’s neutrality in the ongoing conflict.
On Wednesday, Abu Hussein Al-Hamidawi, Secretary-General of Kata’ib Hezbollah, made a striking statement on the role of resistance factions in the war and their commitment to the Unity of Fronts doctrine frequently mentioned by Axis of Resistance groups.
In an interview published by the faction’s media arm, Al-Hamidawi said: “The continuity of the Unity of Fronts concept depends on what the Lebanese Hezbollah decides.”
Al-Hamidawi also emphasized that resistance factions are constantly coordinating internally and with external partners such as Hezbollah, the Houthis, and Palestinian resistance leaders.
“We aim to ensure that the Palestinian people are not left alone and that the Unity of Fronts remains intact,” he stated.
Fadi Al-Shammari, a political advisor to Sudani, reiterated that Israel’s threats “are not new,” citing the recent complaint filed by Israel with the UN Security Council as part of its pattern of issuing threats.
In media statements, Al-Shammari reaffirmed the Iraqi government’s long-standing position: “The decision of war and peace lies solely with the Iraqi government.”
He noted that the factions’ attacks are being launched from areas outside Iraq’s borders, specifically from Syria. However, he stressed that the Iraqi government is working through its security and military agencies to prevent Iraq from becoming a battlefield for external or internal parties.
Al-Shammari also called on the United States to fulfill its responsibilities under the Strategic Framework Agreement and security pact with Iraq, emphasizing the need to deter and respond to any external attacks that threaten Iraq’s internal security.