Algerian minister defends visit to Damascus

Algeria’s Minister for Maghreb Affairs, the African Union and the Arab League Abdelkader Messahel has defended his visit to Damascus last week amid criticism from opposition parties, saying it was not a diplomatic mistake.

Messahel told reporters on Monday that his visit to Damascus coincided with the 60th anniversary of Syria’s independence.

“The visit aimed to show our support to the Syrian people in the face of terrorism which Algeria has long suffered from and to convey a message to our Syrian brothers that there is no substitute for national reconciliation, political solution and unity,” the minister said.

Messahel said the visit was not part of any mediation efforts by his country.

Algerian opposition parties have criticized Messahel’s visit to Damascus during which he held talks with a number of Syrian regime officials.