UK Says Ready to Cooperate with Algeria in Defense Industry

Heappey meets with Chanegriha. (Algeria’s Ministry of National Defense)
Heappey meets with Chanegriha. (Algeria’s Ministry of National Defense)
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UK Says Ready to Cooperate with Algeria in Defense Industry

Heappey meets with Chanegriha. (Algeria’s Ministry of National Defense)
Heappey meets with Chanegriha. (Algeria’s Ministry of National Defense)

British Minister of State for the Armed Forces James Stephen Heappey has said that the UK acknowledges the historic Algerian-Russian ties.

The UK is willing to help Ukraine reach the goals determined by the people and democratically-elected government, he added. 

He made his remarks in an interview on Wednesday with TSA (Tout sur l'Algérie) on the occasion of his visit to Algiers last Sunday.

The British official affirmed that the UK government respects Algeria’s impartiality regarding the West-Russia conflict in the Ukrainian war.

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune stated months ago that his country stands at an equal distance from the warring sides.

The President was scheduled to visit Moscow by the end of last year but the visit was postponed till May for undeclared reasons.

The UK deals with Algeria on the basis of respect and cooperation regarding the war in Ukraine, Heappey said, adding that it is keen on regularly briefing Algeria about the British concerns regarding the Russian operations in Ukraine.

“We also help Algeria diversify its defense capabilities and equipment.”

The North African region has a vital significance according to the UK, Heappey said.

“They have shared interests in maritime security, freedom of navigation, and the protection of the countries against terrorism and other dangerous forms of organized crime.”

He added that his visit to Algeria aimed to “reinforce bilateral ties”, confirming the long-term defense relations that stand on mutual partnership and respect.

He stressed his country’s openness to cooperating with Algeria in the defense industry.

Furthermore, Chief of Staff of the Algerian People's National Army General Said Chanegriha received Heappey on Sunday to explore ways to enhance defense cooperation.

Heappey expressed UK's desire to take military cooperation with Algeria to a higher level.

The meeting, held at the General Staff of the Algerian Army, dealt with the shared security challenges, including those relating to Africa, according to a statement from the Algerian Ministry of National Defense.

Moreover, Heappey met the Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Community abroad, Amar Belani.

The Algerian-British talks focused on several regional and international issues of common interest, including the situation in Libya, Mali, and the Sahel region in general.

Regarding Western Sahara, the Algerian and British sides affirmed their support for the efforts of the Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Western Sahara, Staffan De Mistura, aimed at encouraging the two parties to the conflict to relaunch the negotiation process to achieve a permanent and mutually acceptable political solution.



Aoun Leading Efforts to Avert Shiite Boycott of New Lebanese Govt

A handout photo made available by the Lebanese Presidency Press Office shows Lebanese President Joseph Aoun (C) attending a meeting with Lebanese parliament Speaker Nabih Berri (L) and Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam at the Presidential Palace in Baabda, Lebanon, 14 January 2025. (Lebanese Presidency Press Office)
A handout photo made available by the Lebanese Presidency Press Office shows Lebanese President Joseph Aoun (C) attending a meeting with Lebanese parliament Speaker Nabih Berri (L) and Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam at the Presidential Palace in Baabda, Lebanon, 14 January 2025. (Lebanese Presidency Press Office)
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Aoun Leading Efforts to Avert Shiite Boycott of New Lebanese Govt

A handout photo made available by the Lebanese Presidency Press Office shows Lebanese President Joseph Aoun (C) attending a meeting with Lebanese parliament Speaker Nabih Berri (L) and Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam at the Presidential Palace in Baabda, Lebanon, 14 January 2025. (Lebanese Presidency Press Office)
A handout photo made available by the Lebanese Presidency Press Office shows Lebanese President Joseph Aoun (C) attending a meeting with Lebanese parliament Speaker Nabih Berri (L) and Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam at the Presidential Palace in Baabda, Lebanon, 14 January 2025. (Lebanese Presidency Press Office)

Lebanon’s Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam arrived in Beirut on Tuesday to kick off parliamentary consultations to form a new government.

He assured that it will “not exclude anyone”, but seek “unity and partnership.”

Asharq Al-Awsat learned that President Joseph Aoun is leading efforts to avert a Shiite boycott of the new government after the “Shiite duo” of the Hezbollah and Amal movement, which is led by parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, refrained from naming Salam for the position of PM during Monday’s consultations.

Their abstention has raised fears that the new government will not be constitutional without the representation of the largest Shiite parties in the country.

Reports have said that the duo may boycott the parliamentary consultations to form a government that Salam will hold on Wednesday.

Sources said the duo may skip the first day of talks, which will conclude on Thursday, to demonstrate its “annoyance” with the developments.

Berri, however, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the “situation is not that negative”. He did not elaborate on the duo’s next steps.

Moreover, Asharq Al-Awsat learned that French President Macron had even intervened to avoid a dispute over the government, holding telephone talks with Aoun and Berri.

Salam’s appointment as prime minister came as a major shock given the large number of votes he won from the parliamentary blocs, compared to his predecessor Najib Mikati and against the will of the Shiite duo. In past years, Hezbollah has repeatedly blocked Salam from becoming prime minister.

Aoun stressed the need to “avoid placing obstacles in the government formation process.”

Aoun held a meeting with Salam at the presidential palace on Tuesday before later being joined by Berri, who left the palace without making a statement.

After the talks, Salam spoke before reporters to express his gratitude to parliament and the people for entrusting him with the “difficult task of serving Lebanon” and “achieving the people’s dreams.”

“It is time to open a new chapter that is rooted in justice, security, progress and opportunity, so that Lebanon can be a nation of free people who are equal under their rights,” he added.

On the possible boycott of the Shiite duo, he said he was against exclusion and on the contrary supported unity. “This is my sincere call, and my hands are extended to everyone,” he added.

The formation of a government in Lebanon often takes months due to political wrangling.

Aoun said on Tuesday that Lebanon has a “very major opportunity that we should all seize.”

He received a delegation from the Supreme Islamic Shiite Council.

“Obstacles must not be placed in the formation process,” he urged. “We must send positive signals to the international community that Lebanon can govern itself, carry out reconstruction transparently and build the state that we are all calling for.”

“If one segment of Lebanon is broken, then the whole country will break,” he stressed, saying Monday’s consultations to appoint Salam were a democratic process and that the public interest remains the top priority.

Aoun, who was elected last week, added that he has declined visits from well-wishers over his election “out of respect for the martyrs” who were killed during Israel’s war on Lebanon, which ended with a ceasefire in November.