ALGIERS, Algeria, Dec. 4 (UPI) -- U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell called for honest and free presidential elections in Algeria next year during his first visit to the Arab country.
Speaking at a joint news conference with his Algerian counterpart, Abdel Aziz Belkhadem, Powell described Washington's relations with Algiers "better than any time in the past."
He also hailed the positive role Algeria is playing in the global war against terrorism and expressed hope for further security cooperation between the two countries in the future.
Powell said his talks with Algerian officials, including President Abdel Aziz Boutefliqa, covered human rights, freedom of expression and upcoming Algerian presidential elections "which we hope would be transparent and free."
Powell is in Algeria, the third leg of a tour of Maghreb Arab countries, which already has taken him to Tunisia and Morocco.
