Algeria/Sahel: meeting for the fight against terrorism and crime

ALGIERS- The chiefs of the armies staffs of Algeria, Mauritania, Niger and Mali are meeting since Wednesday in Tamanrasset (southern Algeria) especially in the context of the fight against transnational crime and terrorism, according to an official in Algiers.

•     During this meeting, the chiefs of staffs of the four countries consider "all ways and means to strengthen the cooperation around a common struggle against the rampant crime in the border strip and, in particular terrorism, and will be "an opportunity for all parties" to address "issues of common interest, exchange views," says the release of the Defense Ministry quoted by the agency APS.
  
      This coordination meeting, which will continue Thursday at the headquarters of the 6th Military Region of Algeria, is "in the context of efforts made by the high authorities of the participating countries, on the strengthening of military cooperation and security," adds the ministry.
  
      Mali, Niger and Mauritania have common borders with Algeria.
  
      It must cope with armed Islamist groups claiming Al-Qaeda in Islamic Maghreb that maintain a certain pressure on the security forces regularly targeted by attacks.
  
      Several foreigners have been abducted or held in Mali and Niger in recent months, claimed by Aqmi actions.
  
      Similarly, a young Mauritanian bomber was killed by activating an explosive belt on Saturday near the French embassy in Nouakchott, slightly injuring two French policemen and a Mauritanian woman.
  
      The suicide bomber was a Mauritanian "recruited by the Salafi" and trained in the camps located in the Sahara, said Monday the Mauritanian Minister of Interior Mohamed Ould R'Zeizim.
  
      This region of the Sahel is also subject of trafficking and smuggling of all kinds on the part of groups of organized criminals, regularly denounces the Algerian private press.
      
      
  Ennaharonline/ M. O.