Algeria and Qatar call for Arab summit

The joint statement released on Wednesday at the end of Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa al-Thani's visit to Algeria, during which he met with Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, said talks focused on the development of bilateral relations and discussion of Arab and regional issues, Algerian News Agency said.

The two leaders called for an Arab summit to bring the Arab states closer together and prepare them "to face the risks threatening it on the eve of the third millennium."

They also called for implementations of conventions on relations in the economic, cultural, scientific and human resources areas, deciding to hold a meeting of the joint committee in Algeria before the end of the year.

The statement also highlighted the importance of relations between the Arab and African states.