Syria, Hamas commemorate Algeria's independence
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Algeria hosts the Syrian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Faisal Mekdad, and the head of Hamas Ismail Haniyeh to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the country's independence.
Syrian Minister of Foreign Affairs Faisal Mekdad will arrive in Algiers today on a three-day visit during which he will meet with Algerian officials.
On Tuesday, Algeria celebrates 60 years of independence from France, but the atrocities perpetrated during more than a century of colonial rule, without any responsibility upheld, continue to elicit deep diplomatic tensions.
Read more: France refuses to apologize for its Algerian past
Mekdad's visit will be the first to Algeria since he took his position as foreign minister and coincides with the 60th anniversary of Algeria's independence, where a massive military parade is scheduled for the events.
Algerian Foreign Minister Ramtane Lamamra responded to Al Mayadeen last Saturday in regards to the question of whether Syria would participate, saying that Algeria is in consultations with all Arab parties.
Read more: Algerian FM: Syria is a founding Arab League member
Lamamra met with Lebanese President Michel Aoun last Saturday. The Lebanese President considered that what makes the Arab summit that will be held in Algeria important, "is the size of the serious crises facing our world today and the major challenges, in addition to the targets that the Arab countries suffer from."
Ismail Haniyeh, the head of the political bureau of Hamas, will also be in attendance.
In a statement, Hamas said the Palestinian people and their resistance see the Algerian revolution as an inspiration and example in the path towards the liberation of Palestine in its entirety.
The movement expressed its great appreciation for the invitation, through which Algeria is keen on the participation of the Palestinian people and their resistance in the national celebrations.
Hamas expressed hope that Algeria would remain supportive of the Palestinian people, and reject all forms of cooperation and normalization with the Israeli occupation.
