Algeria-The Minister of Communication Abdelkader Messahel while at a press conference jointly held with the foreign affairs minister has said that the closure of the country’ southern border is a ‘sovereign decision’ of Algerian government.

According to him, Algeria’s Southern border is closed since the beginning of troubles in Northern Mali and they will remain closed for national reasons. It Algeria’s sovereign decision, he said.

Mr. Messahel however stressed that because of family relationships between the Algerian and Malian populations in the far south, it was decided to open the border once every 15 days under the control of the Army adding that most activities of the terrorist group (MUJAO) Movement for Uniqueness and Djihad in Western Africa, is coming from that region.

He finally added that ethe mission of the army is to ensure the internal security of the borders