Algeria and Tunisia are exploring the prospect of military cooperation in their joint meeting, which began last week in Tunis upon the arrival of the Algerian Chief of Staff Gen. Mohamed Amari.
Amari, according to the Middle East Newsline (MENL), met his Tunisian counterpart as well as President Zine El Abidine Bin Ali.
The two countries also signed a military cooperation agreement that would pave the way for joint training, exercises and weapons deals, MENL said.
The accord was signed by Tunisian Defense Minister Dali Jazi.
Arab defense sources said Algeria does not expect Tunis to buy weapons from Algeria. The sources said the defense cooperation is meant to bolster border security and stop Islamic insurgents from entering Algeria from Tunisia.
The agreement, the sources said, could also lead to joint military patrols along the Algerian-Tunisian border. The patrols would focus on the Algerian-Italian gas pipeline. The pipeline has been a target of Algerian insurgents – Albawaba.com
