Lahoud, Butaflika discuss in Algeria bilateral relations, region's issues

Algerian President Abdul Aziz Butaflika, Lebanese President Emil Lahoud on Tuesday held a close door round of talks.

It was officially announced in Algiers that the visit of the Lebanese president be an opportunity for the two presidents to discuss cooperation relations between their two states and means of strengthening and expanding them as well as exchanging views on international political issues of mutual concern especially the situation in the region.

The Lebanese president arrived in Algiers in an official visit which lasts for two days, according to an official Algerian source.

He was welcomed a Hawari Bumedyan airport in Algiers by President Butaflika, the prime minister Ali Benflis and high ranking Algerian official concerned.

The visit, however, falls in the course of strengthening traditional friendship and fraternal tied between Algeria and Lebanon.

An Algerian official source said that upon his arrival, Lahoud held the first close door meeting with Butaflika at the al-Meithaq residence at one of the Algerian heights.