Algérie Presse Service (APS) - October 29, 2012

Speaking today in Algiers, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said that she and the president of the Republic, Mr. Abdelaziz Bouteflika, have held "very deep" discussions on the situation currently prevailing in the Sahel region, and more particularly in northern Mali.

Speaking to the media after the audience granted to her by the head of the state, Mrs. Clinton said "we have reviewed our extremely strong bilateral relations and w have highlighted the fact that we have just had an excellent conference on strategic dialogue, which was held last week in Washington, and we had very deep discussions on the situation prevailing in the region (Sahel) and particularly the situation prevailing in northern Mali."

"I highly appreciated the analysis of President Bouteflika, which is very enriched by his very long experience in the region, to face the very complex situation and very complicated issues in northern Mali, but also to face issues of terrorism and drug-trafficking in the region," she indicated.

She also added that "we have agreed to continue to follow up on our discussions through experts at the bilateral level and in the framework of consultations with partners in the region, with the African Union, ECOWAS, and the United Nations to try to find solutions to these problems."

The U.S. secretary of state said that she "very happy" to "be able to return to Algeria" and to hold very deep consultations with President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, as she thanked the head of the state for his "hospitality" and for "the time he devoted to me," she said.