Algerian President confers with Jordanian prince

Algerian President Liamine Zeroual on Thursday received Jordanian Crown Prince Hassan and discussed with him bilateral relations between the two countries.

Prince Hassan arrived in Algiers on Wednesday in a rare visit for a Jordanian royal family member to Algeria. An Algerian official who declined to be identified said that talks between the two sides dealt with "bilateral relations and issues of mutual concern."

The Jordanian crown prince's 48-hour visit to Algeria falls in the course of exchanged visits for businessmen and government officials between the two countries to boost economic relations and increase the volume of economic exchange.

According to Algerian official statistics volume of trade exchange between Jordan and Algeria increased from US $4 million in 1996 to US $20 million in 1997.