Lebanon’s president visits Algeria for high-level talks

Lebanon’s president Joseph Aoun completed his visit to Algeria on July 30th for high-level talks with Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, in a bid to to revive political and economic cooperation between the two countries, the government-friendly APS reported.

The visit included a closed-door meeting between the two heads of state, followed by further discussions involving delegations from both sides. In a joint press appearance, President Tebboune described the visit as “an extremely important step in the process of the strong and deeply rooted fraternal relations between the two countries,” adding that discussions were “constructive and fruitful.”

The talks covered a wide range of sectors, from energy, commerce, education and health. Notably, both sides agreed to fast-track the first session of the Algerian-Lebanese joint commission, intended to facilitate long-term cooperation, particularly through the Joint Business Council.

President Tebboune highlighted Algeria’s diplomatic efforts, including support for renewing UNIFIL’s (United Nations Interim Force In Lebanon) mandate and opposing Israeli violations of Lebanese sovereignty.

Aoun, for his part, spoke of Algeria’s historical role in backing Lebanon. He also spoke of the North African country’s efforts with the Arab High Committee that contributed to the Taif Agreement. The committee was a group of Arab diplomatic leaders who helped mediate Lebanon’s civil war and paved the way for the 1989 Taif Agreement to end the conflict.

The visit, while ceremonially framed around mutual solidarity, comes as both governments face internal economic and political instability. With Lebanon struggling under a deep financial crisis and Algeria having navigated anti-government protests as well as domestic pressures, the actual outcomes of diplomatic talks remain to be seen. No concrete economic agreements were announced, although both parties are eyeing future prospects.

APS, Al Jazeera, Maghrebi.org