French minister in Algiers to discuss terrorism, immigration

French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin arrived in Algeria Saturday to discuss tackling extremism and illegal immigration, in the wake of recent attacks in France.

He and his Algerian counterpart will discuss bolstering coordination between the two countries "in a number of areas", according to a statement by Algeria's Interior Minister Kamel Beldjoud.

The North African nation's "valuable expertise" in tackling "terrorism... makes it a strategic partner for France," a statement published Saturday by the French embassy in Algeria said.

Darmanin arrived in the capital Algiers after a tour of several Mediterranean countries, including neighbouring Tunisia.

The French interior minister is also expected to raise the issue of illegal immigration.

Darmanin's visit to North Africa was scheduled some time ago but took on new urgency after a deadly attack on a church in the French city of Nice late last month.

The suspected attacker, identified as 21-year-old Tunisian Brahim Aouissaoui, had arrived in Europe illegally in September.

As he did in Tunisia, Darmanin is expected to present Algeria with a list of its nationals present illegally in France and suspected of radicalisation whom Paris wishes to expel.

Sources close to Darmanin have said that 70 percent of over 230 foreigners illegally in France and suspected of radicalism are from the Maghreb region, which includes Tunisia and Algeria, and from Russia.

According to European border security agency Frontex, more than 6,000 Algerians crossed the Mediterranean in the first eight months of this year, though some migration experts say the real number is likely to be higher.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to stay connected