| Interesting background information. |
ALGIERS — Although they are technically at war, Algeria and Israel have become partners in the Nato-Mediterranean dialogue that includes six Arab countries, in addition to the Jewish state. Algeria has been in a state of war with Israel since 1967 and has rejected any attempt to normalise relations as long as Israel did not end its occupation of Arab territories, allowing the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.
Algerian President Abdel Aziz Boutefliqa reiterated more than once during the campaign that preceded his re-election in April that there would be no normalisation of relations with Israel during his mandate. Nevertheless, Boutefliqa gave his army chief of staff General Ahmed Kaed Saleh the go-ahead sign to attend the meeting of Nato's top military people with the chiefs of staff of countries involved in the Mediterranean dialogue, which comprise, in addition to Algeria and Israel, Egypt, Jordan, Tunisia, Morocco and Mauritania.
The meeting held in Brussels on Wednesday was the second of its kind to be attended by both Israel and Algeria, although they are in a declared state of enmity. Commenting on the controversial situation, former Algerian Ambassador in Spain Abdel Aziz Rahabi said, "in principle, Algeria has no problem in taking part in such meetings as long as they are multilateral. Algeria, on the other hand, totally opposes bilateral meetings with Israel," Rahabi told United Press International. |