Algeria Won't Allow U.S. African Command On Territory

The Algerian government would reject any U.S. request to set up a new military command center for Africa in Algeria, the foreign minister said Saturday.

Foreign Minister Mohammed Bedjaoui sought to dispel speculation in Algerian media that the country could be asked to host a new U.S. command for Africa sought by President Bush.

Algeria "won't accept military bases on its territory - no matter which country they belong to," Bedjaoui told state radio, adding that "no country has made any requests in that direction."

If the United States were to ask for Algeria to host the command, "the response would be negative because we consider the presence of such bases on our soil incompatible with our national sovereignty and independence," he said.

Source:
ContraCostaTimes