A Military intervention will neither solve the terror issue nor the political disputes in Sahel region and Libya and will only add to the suffering of the people and stir up hatred, bitterness and extremism, Algerian Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal has said.
In an exclusive interview to Dubai-based TRENDS magazine’s Julien Hawari and Claude Sérillon, the Algerian leader said that developed countries should kick-start the development assistance programs that have been either put on hold or drastically reduced since the 2008 financial downturn.
“They must act as rapidly, if not more, than they did when they came to the rescue of the global stock market and banking system. The world’s peace and security are as important as any bank’s or financial institution’s operating statements,” he said.
Sellal said that on humanitarian, political and security levels, the region is undergoing a real tragedy and becoming a growing threat to world peace.
“Admittedly, we have reasons to worry, but nothing is final. We always have other options than war and chaos,” said Sellal.
He added that the Middle East still is a land of peace, history and wisdom.
Terror aberrations
On being asked about the impact of drop in oil price on Algeria, Sellal said that it is the political and geo-strategy factors, more than just economics, which have impacted the prices and also impair any forecast on the medium term and in the long run.
“Today, we are faced with aberrations, whereby terrorist groups are trading oil and influencing the world’s supply and demand for energy products,” he said.
According to Sellal, this situation negatively impacts producing countries’ revenues, but could ultimately stall the global economy and growth engine. “Those who see this as a great opportunity are sadly mistaken,” he said, calling for a “just and equitable energy price that can guarantee the investments required in the hydrocarbon sector”.
Sellal said that Algerian President Bouteflika, since his re-election in April 2014, has set “the building of an emerging and diversified economy, generating wealth and jobs, as a national priority.”
According to him, the business climate is improving, despite the cumbersome and bureaucratic reflexes against which the country struggles.
— Al Arabiya News
