Algeria supports consensus in Tunisia

The president of Algeria, Abdelaziz Bouteflika, met with both Rached Ghannouchi and Beji Caid Essebsi separately on back to back days last week.

The meetings came just as a mediation effort led by Tunisia’s largest union, the UGTT, has stalled.

Comments by political leaders and analysts suggest a potential mediating role for Algeria in Tunisia’s domestic politics. 

Rached Ghannouchi, leader of Ennahdha told TV station Nessma TV that Algeria has interests in the security and stability of Tunisia. He added that it was “a good thing” that Bouteflika also met with Nidaa Tounes leader Beji Caid Essebsi.

“Algeria supports consensus in Tunisia, it is not with one party or the other,” he told Nessma.

While not saying explicitly that Bouteflika is playing any mediation role, Ghannouchi said that the meetings were a positive development.

Talks were said to touch upon security coordination in anti-militant operations between Tunisia and Algeria along their shared border, which Ghannouchi also mentioned in the interview.

“We’re in a war against terrorists and Algeria has a long experience with this,” Ghannouchi said, alluding to Algeria’s ongoing conflict with Islamic forces since the 1990s.

– See more at: http://www.tunisia-live.net/2013/09/15/security-stability-motivate-party-leaders-meetings-in-algeria/#sthash.BPYmZzgO.dpuf