Bouteflika and Israel

Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika said in his first interview with the Israeli daily Yediot Ahronot issued on Sunday that Algeria will establish diplomatic relations with Israel after its withdrawal from south Lebanon and the Golan Heights.

In the context of the interview, which was quoted by Israel Radio on Sunday, Bouteflika did not rule out the establishment of economic cooperation between Israel and Algeria prior to the establishment of diplomatic relations, adding that he "trusts the current Middle East peace process."

The Israeli paper added that Bouteflika "does not hide in front of the world media his consent to talk to an Israeli paper."

The Israel Radio added, on the other hand, that Bouteflika met on Saturday evening in Majorca, Spain with Israeli Minister of the Interior Shlomo Ben-Ami.

Last Friday, Bouteflika met with Israeli Regional Development Minister Shimon Peres on the sidelines of meetings of the regional conference for the Mediterranean basin held in Majorca, Spain.