Bouteflika heads to Italy

Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika headed today on an official visit to Italy at the invitation of the Italian President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, which is the first since he took office on April 16.

Bouteflika preferred to start for his official tour by visiting the Vatican to meet Pope John Paul II before holding political talks with his Italian counterpart that will include the issues of security and stability in the Mediterranean basin and partnership between the two countries.

Algerian sources in Cairo told ArabicNews.com that Bouteflika will visit industrial areas where he will meet with Italian businessmen to display investment opportunities in Algeria.