Libya and Algeria discuss border security

Libya and Algeria agreed on organising security patrols to the border between the two countries to counter security threats and intensify intelligence work. The move followed the signing of accords  between the Libyan interior minister Fawzi Abdel-Aal and his Algerian counterpart, Daho Ould Kablia in Algiers on Wednesday. The accords provide the organisation of parallel patrols for creating border control and intensifying cooperation in information exchange between intelligence agencies to promptly ensure responses to new developments and dilemmas. Ould Kablia suggested to his Libyan counterpart a draft protocol agreement including a joint Algerian-Libya border committee which should be “part of a comprehensive approach covering issues relating to security and the development of border regions.” Algeria, he said, supported Libyan efforts to modernise and structure its security forces to fight terrorism, organised crime, illegal trafficking of weapons, drugs and humans and illegal migration and smuggling. In their talks, the two ministers also discussed the need to protect the land borders against the spread of terrorist groups. Ould Kablia said his talks with Abdel-Aal provided “an opportunity to boost bilateral cooperation  and relations between the two brotherly countries.” For his part, Abdel-Aal, spoke of the need to unify the positions of Libya and Algeria at international level in regards to security in order to better serve the two countries. He said that collaboration between the two neighbours at all levels would help ensure the region’s stability and security. Recalling “their common interests”, Abdel-Aal said the new policy of Libya was based on “trust, cooperation and exchanges,” noting that he was “confident about Algerian intentions towards Libya.”