A delegation of Iranian politicians has begun a week-long visit to Algeria and Tunisia as Tehran seeks greater co-operation and a stronger presence in North Africa.
The group, led by Ibrahim Azizi, head of the Iranian Parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, was on Wednesday in Algeria and is expected to arrive in Tunisia on Thursday.
Mr Azizi was accompanied by other members of the committee as well as Mohammad Reza Babai, Iran’s ambassador to Algeria.
Diplomatic relations between Algiers and Tehran have been turbulent for decades, with tension reaching a peak in the 1990s when Algeria accused Iran and others of supporting Islamist extremist groups in a brutal civil war known as “the Black Decade”. The conflict led to the deaths of an estimated 200,000 people, mostly members of the Algerian government security forces.
This led to the severance of ties, which were resumed in the early 2000s by late Algerian president Abdelaziz Bouteflika and his Iranian counterpart at the time Mohammad Khatami.
Despite the resumption, relations remained lukewarm until last year, when high-profile politicians began exchanging visits starting with late Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, who travelled to Algiers in July. That was followed by a four-day visit to Tehran by Brahim Boughali, the Algerian National People’s Assembly Speaker, during which he met late Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi.
During the current visit, the delegation has met Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf and the chairmen of the foreign affairs committees in Algeria’s two parliamentary chambers – Mohamed Amroun and Mohamed Khawan.
A statement by Mr Attaf’s office released on Tuesday said “the reality and prospects of the fraternal and co-operative relations between the two brotherly countries” were reviewed at the meeting. It also discussed ways to boost relations to “the highest possible levels”.
Mr Amroun said: “It is an opportunity for the two parties to discuss the current good bilateral relations between Algeria and Iran … and ways to raise them to the best level by strengthening co-operation and consolidating the registered consensus on many regional and international issues, especially those related to the Palestinian issue and the challenges facing the Islamic world."
The officials also discussed ways to boost economic and commercial co-operation, especially in agriculture, tourism and education.
Algeria, which occupies a non-permanent seat at the UN Security Council, made reference to Israel's wars in Gaza and Lebanon, raising what it called infringements to the rule of international law, a decline in regional security and “the dangerous global transformations that threaten the stability of Islamic countries”.
The Iranian delegation’s scheduled visit to Tunisia on Thursday is also drawing attention as it marks a shift in Tunisia’s conventional foreign policy, signalling a perceived realignment away from the West.
The new phase was ushered in when Tunisian President Kais Saied made a historic visit to Iran in May for the funeral of late Iranian president Mr Raisi. It was a first for a Tunisian head of state since Habib Bourguiba visited Tehran in 1965. Mr Saied met several high-ranking Iranian officials including supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, meanwhile, was among the first world leaders to congratulate Mr Saied on his re-election last month.
In a further sign of warming relations, Tunisia relaxed visa requirements for Iranian tourists in June. The move followed similar measures for Tunisian citizens entering Iran.
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Panipat
Director Ashutosh Gowariker
Produced Ashutosh Gowariker, Rohit Shelatkar, Reliance Entertainment
Cast Arjun Kapoor, Sanjay Dutt, Kriti Sanon, Mohnish Behl, Padmini Kolhapure, Zeenat Aman
Rating 3 /5 stars
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Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
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MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
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Rating: 3.5/5
Analysis
Maros Sefcovic is juggling multiple international trade agreement files, but his message was clear when he spoke to The National on Wednesday.
The EU-UAE bilateral trade deal will be finalised soon, he said. It is in everyone’s interests to do so. Both sides want to move quickly and are in alignment. He said the UAE is a very important partner for the EU. It’s full speed ahead - and with some lofty ambitions - on the road to a free trade agreement.
We also talked about US-EU tariffs. He answered that both sides need to talk more and more often, but he is prepared to defend Europe's position and said diplomacy should be a guiding principle through the current moment.
Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
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UK's plans to cut net migration
Under the UK government’s proposals, migrants will have to spend 10 years in the UK before being able to apply for citizenship.
Skilled worker visas will require a university degree, and there will be tighter restrictions on recruitment for jobs with skills shortages.
But what are described as "high-contributing" individuals such as doctors and nurses could be fast-tracked through the system.
Language requirements will be increased for all immigration routes to ensure a higher level of English.
Rules will also be laid out for adult dependants, meaning they will have to demonstrate a basic understanding of the language.
The plans also call for stricter tests for colleges and universities offering places to foreign students and a reduction in the time graduates can remain in the UK after their studies from two years to 18 months.
Who has been sanctioned?
Daniella Weiss and Nachala
Described as 'the grandmother of the settler movement', she has encouraged the expansion of settlements for decades. The 79 year old leads radical settler movement Nachala, whose aim is for Israel to annex Gaza and the occupied West Bank, where it helps settlers built outposts.
Harel Libi & Libi Construction and Infrastructure
Libi has been involved in threatening and perpetuating acts of aggression and violence against Palestinians. His firm has provided logistical and financial support for the establishment of illegal outposts.
Zohar Sabah
Runs a settler outpost named Zohar’s Farm and has previously faced charges of violence against Palestinians. He was indicted by Israel’s State Attorney’s Office in September for allegedly participating in a violent attack against Palestinians and activists in the West Bank village of Muarrajat.
Coco’s Farm and Neria’s Farm
These are illegal outposts in the West Bank, which are at the vanguard of the settler movement. According to the UK, they are associated with people who have been involved in enabling, inciting, promoting or providing support for activities that amount to “serious abuse”.
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