[Aps 02/05/10]

ALGIERS- The United States considers Algeria as one of its "best partners" in terms of security and fight against terrorism, said Thursday in Algiers Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley, the Deputy Coordinator, Programs Directorate at the Office of the Coordinator for Counterterrorism.

Winstanley, on a working visit to Algeria, said her country has benefited from Algeria's counterterrorism experience, adding that the two countries "have excellent cooperative relationship in several fields." Concerning counterterrorism cooperation, the US official said she has had "technical" and "political" discussions with Algerian officials, adding that the Algerian side expressed its readiness to deepen bilateral cooperation in the field.