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Chairwoman of Russian Federation Council Discusses in Algeria Tebboune’s Upcoming Visit to Moscow

President of Eurojust the European Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation (left) with Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and National Community Abroad. (Ministry of Foreign Affairs and National Community Abroad)
President of Eurojust the European Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation (left) with Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and National Community Abroad. (Ministry of Foreign Affairs and National Community Abroad)
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Chairwoman of Russian Federation Council Discusses in Algeria Tebboune’s Upcoming Visit to Moscow

President of Eurojust the European Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation (left) with Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and National Community Abroad. (Ministry of Foreign Affairs and National Community Abroad)
President of Eurojust the European Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation (left) with Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and National Community Abroad. (Ministry of Foreign Affairs and National Community Abroad)

Chairwoman of the Russian Federation Valentina Matviyenko started on Wednesday discussions in Algeria with its officials, mainly the scheduled visit of Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune to Moscow in May.

Meanwhile, President of Eurojust the European Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation Ladislav Hamran has pledged to assist Algeria in its efforts to restore funds smuggled abroad by state officials who were charged with corruption.

During the visit, Matviyenko will meet heads of both chambers of the Algerian parliament Salah Goudjil and Ibrahim Boughali as well as the Algerian president.

The visit would cover the cooperation in parliament, economy, and military between Algeria and the Russian Federation, the war in Ukraine, the developments in the Palestinian cause, and the political and security crisis in Libya, as well as the Sahara dispute.

An Algerian parliamentarian source reported that the Russian official would discuss the upcoming visit of the Algerian president, which would be concluded with the signing of key agreements in the economy, trade, and warfare industries.

Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation Nikolai Patrushev visited Algeria last month and held talks with Algerian Army Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Said Chengriha, on the “military cooperation between the two countries”.

Furthermore, a bipartisan group of US lawmakers sent a letter in Sep. to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, calling for sanctions against Algeria for its arms deals with Moscow.

According to several international reports, Algiers is the third largest importer of Russian arms in the world. Moscow is said to be the top supplier of the Algerian army in weapons and military systems.

Algeria is the second trading partner to Russia in the African continent, with trade reaching $3 billion in 2021.

Eurojust announced that it is willing and committed to providing Algeria assistance to deal with files for the recovery of looted funds and assets abroad, Hamran said during his meeting on Friday in Algiers with the Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and National Community Abroad, Ammar Blani.

The Algerian Foreign Ministry's statement quoted Blani confirming that "the Algerian authorities wish to launch close cooperation with the agency, to benefit from its extensive expertise and distinguished experience in the field of freezing, confiscating and recovering funds and assets transferred abroad through illegal means."

The Algerian official expressed "the desire of his country's judicial authorities to strengthen relations and cooperation between them and the EU member countries."

The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, confirmed Tuesday, after his visit to Algeria and his meeting with Tebboune, that the two sides discussed the file of smuggled funds, and that the EU is ready to support Algeria in this regard.

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Arab World

Report: US Forces to Complete Withdrawal from Syria within a Month 

Men watch as a US military mine-resistant ambush protected (MRAP) armored fighting vehicle moves in a convoy along a highway outside Qamishli in Syria's northeastern Hasakah province on February 23, 2026. (AFP)
Men watch as a US military mine-resistant ambush protected (MRAP) armored fighting vehicle moves in a convoy along a highway outside Qamishli in Syria's northeastern Hasakah province on February 23, 2026. (AFP)
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Report: US Forces to Complete Withdrawal from Syria within a Month 

Men watch as a US military mine-resistant ambush protected (MRAP) armored fighting vehicle moves in a convoy along a highway outside Qamishli in Syria's northeastern Hasakah province on February 23, 2026. (AFP)
Men watch as a US military mine-resistant ambush protected (MRAP) armored fighting vehicle moves in a convoy along a highway outside Qamishli in Syria's northeastern Hasakah province on February 23, 2026. (AFP)

US forces that led the anti-ISIS coalition in Syria will complete their withdrawal from the country within a month, three sources told AFP on Monday.

"Within a month, they will have withdrawn from Syria and there will no longer be any military presence in the bases," a Syrian government official said, with a Kurdish source confirming the development.

A third source, a diplomat, said the withdrawal should be completed within 20 days.

The United States began withdrawing on Monday from a major base in a northeastern region still under the control of Kurdish forces.

Arab World

Israeli Team in Peace Council Reveals Vision for Gaza Reconstruction

A female member of the al-Ghafir family, sits of the debris of the al-Hasayna Mosque as she recites from a copy of the Quran, during the holy month of Ramadan in western Gaza City on February 21, 2026. (Photo by Omar AL-QATTAA / AFP)
A female member of the al-Ghafir family, sits of the debris of the al-Hasayna Mosque as she recites from a copy of the Quran, during the holy month of Ramadan in western Gaza City on February 21, 2026. (Photo by Omar AL-QATTAA / AFP)
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Israeli Team in Peace Council Reveals Vision for Gaza Reconstruction

A female member of the al-Ghafir family, sits of the debris of the al-Hasayna Mosque as she recites from a copy of the Quran, during the holy month of Ramadan in western Gaza City on February 21, 2026. (Photo by Omar AL-QATTAA / AFP)
A female member of the al-Ghafir family, sits of the debris of the al-Hasayna Mosque as she recites from a copy of the Quran, during the holy month of Ramadan in western Gaza City on February 21, 2026. (Photo by Omar AL-QATTAA / AFP)

While many observers remain skeptical about the chances of success for President Donald Trump’s comprehensive Middle East peace plan, figures close to the US administration are projecting confidence. Among them are three Israelis selected for key roles in the project, though they do not formally represent the Israeli government.

According to a report in Yedioth Ahronoth, the officials insist the initiative is already underway, with Egypt, Türkiye and Qatar playing influential roles in persuading Hamas to cooperate. Despite skepticism within parts of Israel’s political and military leadership regarding the feasibility of the plan — and the ability of Trump advisers Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to implement it — the Peace Council members argue that progress so far is “encouraging.”

The Israeli members of the council are Israeli-Cypriot businessman Yakir Gabay, high-tech entrepreneur Liran Tancman, and Michael Eisenberg, who serves as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s representative at the US coordination headquarters in Kiryat Gat.

They contend that Hamas’ agreement to disarm, coupled with reforms to Palestinian school curricula to promote “a culture of peace and tolerance,” would transform Trump’s initiative into “a historic opportunity to turn Gaza into a true Riviera.”

Gabay outlined the first phase: removing 70 million tons of rubble and unexploded ordnance, recycling usable materials, demolishing and sealing hundreds of kilometers of tunnels, and establishing rapid temporary housing in reinforced tents. Parallel efforts would focus on building infrastructure and permanent residential towers.

Plans also include modern hospitals, schools, factories, agricultural zones, road and rail networks, energy and water facilities, data centers, a seaport and an airport. Contractors experienced in constructing millions of housing units across the Middle East would be recruited, with funding reportedly secured. Hundreds of thousands of jobs are expected to be created. In addition to housing and workplaces, 200 hotels are planned.

Tancman, who advises Israel’s national cyber directorate, pledged to introduce advanced technological solutions in cooperation with American, Arab and Palestinian partners. This includes upgrading Gaza’s internet network from 2G to 5G and making access free of charge. Mechanisms for exporting Gaza-made goods are also under development.

A “New Era”?

Officials told Yedioth Ahronoth that reconstruction has effectively begun in Rafah and is expected to take three years. Israel is currently clearing debris, with 100,000 homes slated for construction in the first phase to house 500,000 residents. Infrastructure alone is projected to cost $5 billion. Ultimately, 400,000 homes are planned, with total infrastructure costs estimated at $30 billion, alongside a similar sum for construction.

A senior Peace Council member suggested that if Hamas responds positively, Israel could consider measures such as amnesty for its leaders or even purchasing weapons for cash. “Gaza and its people could enter a new era—connected and open to the world,” he said.

Separately, The Times of Israel cited a US official confirming that funds would not flow before Hamas agrees to disarm, adding that Israel must also act constructively.

An Arab diplomat cautioned that sustained pressure on both sides would be essential to ensure the plan’s success and the establishment of a technocratic administration in Gaza.

Arab World

Al-Wadiah Border Security Foils Attempt to Smuggle Thousands of Captagon Pills from Yemen 

Members of the Al-Wadiah battalion boast extensive experience allowing them to thwart ongoing smuggling attempts. (Al-Wadiah battalion) 
Members of the Al-Wadiah battalion boast extensive experience allowing them to thwart ongoing smuggling attempts. (Al-Wadiah battalion) 
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Al-Wadiah Border Security Foils Attempt to Smuggle Thousands of Captagon Pills from Yemen 

Members of the Al-Wadiah battalion boast extensive experience allowing them to thwart ongoing smuggling attempts. (Al-Wadiah battalion) 
Members of the Al-Wadiah battalion boast extensive experience allowing them to thwart ongoing smuggling attempts. (Al-Wadiah battalion) 

The “Al-Wadiah Port Security and Protection Battalion” thwarted an attempt to smuggle 4,925 Captagon pills bound for Saudi Arabia from areas under Houthi control in Yemen.

Col. Osama Al-Assad, commander of the battalion, said the seizure was made during routine inspection procedures at the land crossing.

Security personnel grew suspicious of an incoming vehicle and, after a thorough search, discovered the pills professionally concealed in an apparent attempt to evade detection.

In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, Al-Assad said the confiscated drugs were documented in line with legal procedures and the suspects were referred to the competent authorities for further investigation.

He stressed that coordination with the Saudi side remains strong and ongoing at the highest levels, expressing appreciation to the Kingdom for its continued support to Yemen in general and to the battalion in particular, helping bolster border security between the two neighbors.

In a recent interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Al-Assad revealed that most drug smuggling networks operating from Yemen into Saudi territory are directly linked to the Houthi militants.

He noted that the battalion had previously arrested a Houthi leader attempting to enter Saudi Arabia using a forged passport and Umrah visa, suggesting the motives were security-related rather than religious.

Regarding the latest operation, Al-Assad said preliminary investigations indicate that most drug shipments intercepted at the crossing originate from Houthi-controlled areas.

He accused the group of relying on drug trafficking as a source of funding for its activities, posing a threat to Yemen’s national security, neighboring countries, and regional stability.

The battalion’s mission includes securing and protecting the Al-Wadiah crossing, combating various forms of smuggling, including drugs, human trafficking, forged documents, and unidentified individuals, and arresting wanted suspects, including members of al-Qaeda and fugitives evading court rulings.