Egyptian FM arrives in Algeria

Egypt's Minister of Foreign Affairs Nabil Fahmy arrived here on Sunday, marking the start of his two-day visit. Fahmy told reporters upon arrival that his visit comes in the context of the "continuous consultation" between Algeria and Egypt. Fahmy added that his visit to Algeria was not aimed to assess the situation in his country, adding that if was to be asked about the situation in Egypt, he would present a clear picture over the situation and there is no problem with that. Fahmy and his Algerian counterpart Ramtane Lamamra are scheduled to discuss a "number of Arab, African, and international issues" including the Syrian civil war and the "need to work together to reach a political solution to achieve the aspirations of the Syrian people and preserve the Syrian state and its territorial integrity". The two will also discuss the status of Palestine and certain issues that concern North Africa and which threaten the security of the two countries, including the situation in Mali and recent developments in South Sudan. Fahmy added that the meeting comes as part of consultations with "brotherly and friendly countries like Algeria, which have common interests regionally and on the international level."