During a press conference with Algerian Foreign Minister Ramtan Lamamra, Foreign and Expatriate Affairs Minister Faisal Miqdad pointed out that “Syrian-Algerian relations are rooted in history”, noting that “Algeria has supported the Syrian people throughout the crisis and condemned terrorism and Western sanctions imposed on Syria.

Miqdad stressed that “Syria’s main concern is to strengthen Arab solidarity and unite our word in the face of common challenges.”

Yesterday, Sunday, Lamamra arrived in the Syrian capital of Damascus on a two-day official visit. It comes as the countdown to the Arab summit, which was postponed three times before officially scheduled for next November in Algiers, begins.

The Algerian authorities appear to be determined to get Syria involved in the upcoming Arab summit, but observers say no consensus has yet been reached in this regard.

Miqdad visited Algiers earlier this month and took part in the official celebrations of the 60th anniversary of Algeria’s independence, as well as meeting with President Abdelmajid Tebbun, Foreign Minister Ramtan Lamamra and other officials.

The official statement at the time stated that “bilateral talks have resulted in an agreement between the two sides to intensify consultations in the context of preparing for future benefits associated either with cooperation between the two countries or with joint Arab actions.”