US Defense Secretary Mark Thomas Esper will land Thursday in Algeria as part of a region tour to deepen security cooperation with Maghreb countries mainly in the fight against extremist groups.
Esper, reports say, will meet with President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and discussion will revolve around security cooperation and regional threats by extremist groups.
Last visit to Algeria by a US Defense Secretary dates back to 2006, with Donald Rumsfeld. Prior to the Algerian leg of the tour, Esper will kick-start his first ever African visit, in Tunisia.
In Tunisia, a key US ally, Esper according to US sources, will also discuss Russia and China’s influence and threats to American interests. He will wind up the trip on Friday in Rabat, Morocco where he will bolster strong security relations with the kingdom.
US Defense secretary expected in Algeria on Thursday as part of Maghreb tour
