Sudan's al-Bashir kicks off 3-day visit to Algeria

Sudanese President Omar al- Bashir on Sunday started a three-day visit to Algeria at the invitation of his counterpart Abdelaziz Bouteflika.

Al-Bashir was welcomed at the international airport of Houari Boumedien in Algiers by Speaker of the parliament, Mohamed Larbi Ould Khelifa, as well as a number of cabinet ministers and officials.

The visit would be an opportunity for the two presidents to exchange views on regional and international issues of common interest, including the situation in the Arab and African regions.

Sudan's ambassador to Algeria, Issam Aouadh Metouali , was quoted by the local Algerian radio as saying that relations between Algeria and Sudan are marked by convergence of views on regional and international issues.

Regarding economic and trade exchange between the two, Issam Aouadh Metouali said they were recording dynamic progress, saying the Algerian Sudanese Joint Commission would hold its meeting before the end of this year.

Khartoum bids on Algeria to help it overcome the economic difficulties due to a decade-long embargo by the West. In this regard, the diplomat further urged Algerian operators to invest in Sudan. Trade exchange between the Arab nations is below 100 million U.S. dollars a year. Enditem