Algeria-Tunisia accord to fight cross-border terrorism from Libya

Ahmed Adel

Fear of the terrorist groups in Libya prompted Algeria and Tunisia to sign a security accord earlier this year.

Only last week, Algeria’s President Abdelaziz Bouteflika signed an executive order for implementing the agreement, which mainly seeks to boost anti-terror cooperation between the two countries for protecting their borders against the colossal threat posed by terrorists and Takfiris in neighboring Libya.

Algerian Minister for Foreign Affairs Abdelkader Messahel said that the bilateral accord mainly aims to counter the danger of Jihadist groups, especially in Libya.

He added that his country is working hard in support of efforts to achieve reconciliation in Libya, through negotiations.

Prevention

Researcher in the affairs of the Arab Maghreb and Islamic movements Abu-Al Fadhl Al-Esnawi, said that Bouteflika endorsed the agreement with Tunisia in the wake of the changes conducted at the Algerian intelligence.

He told Al-Marjie (The Reference) that the move pertaining to the top officials of the spy agency, was followed by changes in the commanders of the border troops.

In fact, the chief goal of the intelligence and military accords concluded in the Arab Maghreb was prevention against the hazards that could come from Libya, where armed militias control various territories, making the border area “most inflammable,” Al-Esnawi said.

The  accord is among the most successful signed by the two countries to protect their borders against fatal terrorism.

The agreement plays a key role for exchanging intelligence on terrorist groups in Libya, said Security expert, Jamal Mazloum.

Safeguarding the borders with Libya is the responsibility of both, Mazloum told Al-Marjie (The Reference), urging Algeria and Tunisia to enhance cooperation with the Libyan authorities for stability.