Algerian president visits France today

Algerian President Abd al-Aziz Bu Taflika is heading today to Paris. This is the first visit of its kind for an Algerian president since 18 years.

This visit was delayed 24 hours due to the participation of the French and the Algerian presidents in the funeral of the late Syrian President Hafez El-Assad.

During this visit, Bu Taflika will hold formal meetings with France's President Jacques Chirac and Prime Minister Lionel Jospin as well as other high ranking officials. He will place flowers on the soldier's grave - a memorial to Algerians who fought with France in the first world war.

Bu Taflika is trying since assuming the power to improve his country's image abroad and to encourage external investment in Algeria.