TUNIS - "I'm highly confident in the process that allows Tunisia and the United States to effectively address our highest priority security requirements," US Army General and Commander of US-Africa Command Carter Ham said, Tuesday, at a round table held at the US Embassy in Tunis.
General Ham and US Ambassador to Tunisia Jacob Walles had a set of meetings, Tuesday morning, with Prime Minister Ali Larayedh, Interior Minister Lotfi Ben Jeddou and Chief of Staff of Armed Forces General Rachid Ammar.
Talks focused on the main challenges facing Tunisia in the security field.
The Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) intends "to have a presence in North Africa including Tunisia", General Ham pointed out, adding that there are other extremist organisations in North Africa, though they are not as well-equipped and well-organised as Al-Qaeda.
He estimated in this regard, that the best way to counter Al-Qaeda in North Africa and end the phenomenon of young people joining these organisations is through "good governance, education, and economic development."
During his meeting with Mr. Walles, Prime Minister Ali Larayedh asserted that "security is a top priority" for the Tunisian government.
General Ham emphasised for his part, that co-operation with Tunisia in the security field "takes many forms," specifying that the Tunisian government has made a considerable progress to ensure security throughout the country.
He hailed the Tunisian government's efforts to seize weapons saying that "this is an effective activity on the part of the government."
General Ham is on a one-day visit to Tunisia as part of a tour including Libya and Algeria. This is his fifth and last visit to the country as he is preparing to leave The US-Africom.
© Tunis-Afrique Presse 2013
