Lamamra: Palestinian Cause Sacred; Algeria Adamant on Supporting It

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Algerian Foreign Affairs Minister Ramtane Lamamra announced on Thursday that the "sacred Palestinian cause is the cement that binds Arab peoples and nations," noting that "Algeria holds firmly to the spirit of the Arab peace initiative in support of the Palestinian cause."

In his first speech after being appointed as foreign minister, he declared: "We know that the Palestinian people are peacemakers and are always interested in it, but peace is now the responsibility of the entire international community. All parties are called upon to hold firmly to the principles underlying a just and comprehensive peace in the region, which requires the recognition of the independent State of Palestine with Al-Quds as its capital and the liberation of all the occupied Arab territories including the occupied Golan Heights."

As for the Arab World, Lamamra said: "We are fully ready to consecrate the bonds of brotherhood with all brotherly Arab countries, and aspire to a successful Arab summit in the near future," adding that "what the Arab initiative had foretold, along with the orientation drawn out for common Arab action, will both constitute a way out from the crisis plaguing the region of the Middle East and Arab World, where the situation and tensions have long prevented the pooling of the region's capabilities and their employment in development."

Concerning Algeria, Lamamra declared: "Algeria, thanks to its glorious history, the commitment of its leaders and the genius of its people, has always been the creator of powerful events, and was the author of bright pages in the history of this nation, the history of the international community, and the history of humanity as a whole."

The FM went on to say: "Algeria's commitments are well known. We will continue to work in the region we belong to, which is not what we aspire it to be. It is walking steadily towards unity and union; however, outstanding conflicts, such as Western Sahara and the Libyan crisis, different as they may be, influence the work we do on banding together and beginning to move towards the aspired union and integration."

Regarding the Libyan crisis, Lamamra said that "Algeria's work on supporting and strengthening the orientation of our brothers in Libya to a way out of the crisis, in a manner guaranteeing peace, brotherhood, union and a democratic system, which the Libyan people aspire to, requires more commitment. It also requires a readiness to answer to the will of different Libyan parties and the Libyan government in which we believe and will leave no stone unturned in enforcing its position and sovereign decisions."

The Foreign Minister also said: "President Abdelmadjid Tebboune is committed to this, and Algeria will be the pivotal state that does what it always has done in terms of fostering peace, stability, and security in the African continent, starting with Western Sahara, and to any crisis, anywhere on the continent."

He also added that "the African space is part of the identity, destiny, and the future of Algeria, especially in light of African economic integration, and in light of the economic diplomacy that pits Algerian economic figures, both from the public and private spheres, before the challenge of dispersal in the African continent, the building of solid relations joining brotherhood and support, and seeing to the short-term and long-term security of Algeria and the regions it neighbors.

Algeria announced on Wednesday the formation of a new cabinet, with a distinctive economic orientation. This can be observed through assigning the Ministry of Finance to the Prime Minister himself. 15 ministers remained in their positions from the previous cabinet, and Former Foreign Minister Ramtane Lamamra was again given the duties of foreign minister.