Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika will head next week to the United State for talks with his US counterpart George W. Bush at the White House, with the agenda expected to focus on the US-led war on terrorism.
“Bush will welcome President Bouteflika to the White House on November 5th,” said an official statement released by the White House.
Bush spokesman Ari Fleischer said that the visit of the Algerian president came within the framework of efforts to rally an international coalition behind US retaliation for September 11 terror strikes.
According to the statement, the United States and Algeria share common interests in many areas, including the international effort to combat terrorism.
Bush reportedly "looks forward to continuing the dialogue that he began with President Bouteflika when the two last met on July 12."
Algeria is wracked by civil war, which pits the military-backed regime against Islamist rebels who took up arms after being denied an electoral victory in 1992. Over 100,000 people have been killed – Albawaba.com
