Algerian Foreign Minister to travel to Libya

Algerian Foreign Minister Mourad Medelci Algerian Foreign Minister Mourad Medelci will on Monday begin the country\'s first official visit to Tripoli after the fall of the late Colonel Muammar Gaddafi in response to an invitation from his Libyan counterpart Ashour Bin Hayal. Analysts regard the step as a ‘promising’ move to soothe tensions between the two countries since Algeria delayed its recognition of the Libyan National Transitional Council (NTC), and agreed to shelter members of Gaddafi\'s family.
The official spokesperson of the Algerian Foreign Minister said: “Medelci’s visit falls under the political consultation framework on issues of common interest. It also indicates the willingness of the two countries to promote bilateral cooperation in order to reach the level of historical relations that links the two peoples...Algeria has expressed repeatedly in various forums its support to Libyan efforts to restore stability in the country and face security challenges.”
Algerian diplomatic resources said the visit aimed at sending a formal invitation to NTC head Mustafa Abdul Jalil to visit Algeria.
Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika had earlier sent a congratulatory letter to Jalil on the occasion of the Libyan revolution’s first anniversary.
The NTC had earlier accused Algeria of sending African mercenaries to Libya and supporting Gaddafi’s fight against the revolution, which Algeria strongly denied.
Bouteflika met with the Jalil last November on the sidelines of the gas summit in Doha, under the mediation of the Emir of Qatar. This was the first formal meeting between the leadership of the two countries after the fall of Gaddafi’s regime.