Maghreban union secretarty general in Algeria

Secretary General of the Arab Maghreb Union (UMA), Habib Boularas, arrived in Algiers Sunday on a four day visit for talks with several Algerian officials, including foreign minister Abdelaziz Belkhadem.

Boulares said upon arrival he wishes to meet Algerian president Abdelaziz Bouteflika to "hear his orientations and points of view regarding the actions to be conducted by the UMA Secretariat general to prepare for the meeting of the UMA Presidency Council, a meeting that is planned and wished."

He told the Algerian TV that this is his first visit to Algeria after he took office at the head of the UMA Rabat-based secretariat general, adding it is quite natural that he makes a trip to the country holding the UMA chairmanship.

He stated further that the consecration of dialogue within the Maghreban union will enable the member countries (Algeria, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, and Tunisia) to overcome obstacles.

Boulares (Tunisia) was appointed as the new secretary general of the Arab Maghreb Union in replacement of Mohamed Amamou, another Tunisian, last January during the 19th session of the council of foreign ministers of the UMA member countries.

Boulares was a former minister of defense, of foreign affairs, of information and culture, and a former speaker of the Tunisian parliament. Boulares is also a writer and former journalist.