27/07/2009
Officials from Algeria, Mali and ex-Touareg rebels gathered Saturday (July 25th) in Kidal to launch a new 1.5 million-euro support program for some 10,000 unemployed youth in northern Mali, AFP reported. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Algeria Ambassador to Mali Abdelkrim Ghreib said that to "consolidate peace, it is important to develop disadvantaged areas". Greib, who mediated the peace accord between the Malian government and the Toureg fighters, said Algeria is committed developing vocational training, health centres and other socio-economic support structures in the northern Mali regions of Gao, Timbuktu and Kidal.

"This funding will allow young people to have a job and contribute to the stabilization of the Sahel-Sahara band," said Malian Minister of Territorial Administration Kafougouna Kone. Hamada Bibi Ag, the spokesman for the former Tuareg rebels, thanked Algeria for help in resolving the crisis in Mali.
magharebia.com