Deterioration in relations between Mauritania and Algeria

A diplomatic source in Nouakchott reported that Mauritania received with "dissatisfaction" Bouteflika's "refusal" to meet with Mauritanian Prime Minister Cheikh Afia Ould Mohamed Khouna on Monday.

The diplomatic source added that relations between Algeria and Mauritania seem to be "deteriorating." Ould Khouna, who was carrying a message from Mauritanian President Maaouya Ould Sid Ahmed Taya on the recent agreements between Israel and Mauritania, was not able to meet with the Algerian president following a long day of waiting, and he delivered the message to the speaker of the Algerian Parliament.