Algeria said set to sign nuke deal

ALGIERS, Algeria, June 16 (UPI) -- Algerian officials say they're leaning toward signing a deal with a French company to establish the nation's first nuclear power plant.

Algeria and France last year signed a nuclear cooperation agreement but have yet to consummate it with a deal. Now, unnamed sources said Algeria's leadership is close to giving the nod to Areva to build the project, Med Basin Newsline reported Monday.

The news agency said Algerian Energy and Mines Minister Chakib Khelil is expected to seal the Areva deal when French Prime Minister Francois Fillon visits the country this week and that the agreement would allow the company to exploit Algeria's uranium reserves.

Fillon's visit is also expected to result in a further nuclear cooperation deal that envisions technical information sharing and financial assistance.