British minister in Algeria on terrorism

ALGIERS, Algeria, July 16 (UPI) -- British Foreign Office Minister Kim Howells arrived in Algeria Saturday to discuss security cooperation following last week's explosions in London.

Howells told reporters in Algiers he came to the North African country on a three-day official visit to "benefit from your expertise in combating terrorism and cooperation on illegal immigration."

State-owned Algerian Radio quoted a British official it did not identify as saying Howells' visit was to coordinate on fighting terrorism and to exchange expertise.

The radio said the British minister would also discuss an extradition agreement, adding that London was ready to study Algeria's request to hand over Algerian fugitives or refugees suspected of involvement in terrorism during the 1990s.

Discussions on illegal immigration also were on Howells' agenda. An estimated 30,000 Algerians reside illegally in Britain and about 20,000 legally.