Saudi foreign minister pays surprise visit to Algeria for 'Libya talks'

Saudi foreign minister pays surprise visit to Algeria for 'Libya talks'
Saudi Arabia's foreign minister paid a surprise visit to Algeria to meet with top officials.
2 min read
28 July, 2020
Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan had previously visited Algeria in February [Getty]
Saudi Arabia's foreign minister made an unannounced visit to Algeria this week to meet the country's leading officials, the kingdom's official news agency SPA reported on Tuesday.

Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan met with his Algerian counterpart Sabri Boukadoum in the capital Algiers on Monday, followed by a meeting with Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune on Tuesday.

According to SPA, the Saudi minister and Algerian president discussed regional and international developments, security issues and bilateral relations.

The Libyan crisis was also touched upon, with both parties speaking of a a solution that leads to a "peaceful settlement that ends the conflict and protects Libya from terrorism and external interference".

On his Twitter account, bin Faisal praised his "fraternal meeting" with Boukadoum in the "dear country" that is Algeria.

Following his meeting with Tebboune, the diplomat tweeted that both countries enjoy positive relations and share a "bright future".

On Monday, bin Faisal tweeted about his visit to Egypt, during which he met with President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi and Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry.

Last month, Saudi Arabia's foreign ministry expressed support for Sisi's threat to launch a military intervention in neighbouring Libya.

Egypt and the UAE are supporting militia leader Khalifa Haftar, who is attempting to topple the UN-backed government.

The surprise appearance represents bin Farhan's second visit to Algeria, as he travelled to Algiers in February for bilateral discussions.

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