ALGIERS, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- Algeria's decision to deploy a military unit to northern Niger was made at the request of Nigerien authorities to protect joint energy facilities and projects, Said Chanegriha, Chief of Staff of the People's National Army of Algeria, said Monday.
The decision, taken by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, falls within the framework of implementing constitutional provisions governing the deployment of Algerian military units abroad, Chanegriha said in a statement released by the Ministry of National Defense.
The decision, unanimously approved by both chambers of Algeria's parliament in late October, aims to secure joint energy infrastructure and projects, reflecting the two countries' cooperation in the energy sector, Chanegriha said.
Algeria and Niger are pursuing several joint energy initiatives, including oil exploration in the Kafra block in northern Niger by Sonatrach, Algeria's state-owned oil and gas company, the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline linking Nigeria, Niger, and Algeria, and cooperation on the modernization of Niger's Zinder oil refinery. ■
