Russian Foreign Minister to visit Algeria

Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is planning an official visit to Algeria, where he will meet with the country's President Abdelaziz Bouteflika for talks over the Mali war and the Syrian crisis, Lavrov's spokesperson Alexander Lukashevich said at a press briefing on Thursday. "On February 11, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will visit Algeria to hold talks with the country's leadership," Lukashevich told reporters. Lavrov is also expected to meet his Algerian counterpart, Mourad Medelci, Lukashevich said. The foreign ministry's spokesman said Russia was pleased with the positive attitude of the Syrian opposition towards a possible dialogue with the country's regime. He said Lavrov's visit to the Munich Security Conference had paved the way for further negotiations between the Syrian government and the opposition's National Coalition, led by Ahmed Moaz al-Khatib. Lukashevich also said Lavrov's talks in Algeria will be about bilateral relations, particularly cooperation in power generating projects and infrastructure.