France President Arrives in Algeria

The French President Emmanuel Macron has arrived in Algeria for a three-day visit.

President Macron was accompanied by several ministers, business leaders, and sports personalities.

He was received by the Algerian President, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, and some senior Algerian officials at the Houari Boumediene Airport in the capital Algiers.

The visit comes after a long period of tension over conflicting memories of Algeria’s bloody war of independence.

Report says Algeria recalled its ambassador to Paris late last year over it.

According to the Elysée palace, President Macron has “made the choice to orientate this visit towards the future… and lay down the basis for a relaunching of the relationship”.

Meanwhile, the two heads of state are scheduled to visit a monument to martyrs of the country’s war for independence,

However, beyond the conventional agenda of talks with host President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, Mr. Macron will also meet young entrepreneurs in the capital Algiers.

Then on Friday in the western city of Oran he will visit a record store famous as a centre for Algerian traditional Rai music, and watch a display of breakdancing.

Analyst says the French leader will be under pressure to make a public statement that recognises Algerian concerns over how the independence war is remembered. But they say the main thrust of the visit will be to create conditions for closer co-operation on pressing economic and security issues.

BBC/CO