Upcoming reopening of one of the three border posts between Algeria and Libya
On the border between Libya and Algeria.
(illustration image) © AFP PHOTO FAROUK BATICHE
Text by: RFI Follow
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Closed since 2011, originally for security reasons, one of the three land border crossing points between Algeria and Libya will soon reopen.
This is announced by the authorities of the two countries.
A meeting of the joint committee will meet on Thursday July 28 to announce the official date of this reopening, which will first concern trade.
Travelers and tourists will only be allowed in a second time.
The rehabilitation work is over 90% complete on both sides, said the mayor of Ghadames, the Libyan town closest to this border post.
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The political decision to reopen the Deb Deb border post has been taken on the Algerian side for several months, but its application has been postponed several times, officially due to unfinished work on the Libyan side.
This border post is a vital economic artery for Algeria.
Currently, to reach Libya, Algerian carriers pass through the Tunisian border.
Deb Deb will therefore facilitate the commercial flow.
Developing exports responds to a strategic necessity for Algiers: after years of economic lethargy, President Tebboune is seeking to make up for the accumulated delay and to establish itself on the African continent.
The power is following a roadmap to get out of the economic crisis and is looking for resources that do not come only from the oil sector.
It is for this purpose that a shipping line was inaugurated this year with Mauritania, another will soon be with Tripoli, the discussions have reached the final phase.
On the promising market of Libya, Algeria intends to export food products and reconstruction materials.
A free zone for trade on the Algerian side will be created in the future, according to the Minister of Commerce.
Several meetings have taken place between Libyan and Algerian investors in recent months and businessmen are encouraged to invest in both countries.
The promised reopening of Deb Deb comes within a framework of rapprochement between Algiers and Tripoli.
Algerian diplomacy hopes to play a role in Libyan reconciliation even if it is not accepted by the eastern Libyan camp.
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Algeria
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