Hommam Al Nassim 
President Abdelmadjid Tebboune announced that he has reached an agreement with the leaders of four countries in the region to establish a unified Maghreb bloc.
Tebboune stressed that this bloc includes Libya, Tunisia, and Mauritania, as well as the head of the Libyan Presidential Council, Mohamed al-Menfi, and does not target any country, in a hint at Morocco.
Tebboune pointed out during a television programme that the need for this entity arose due to the lack of Maghreb co-operation, stressing that Maghreb meetings will be held with the participation of all parties without exception.
Morocco can join this entity and the door is still open, Tebboune said, noting that Moroccans preferred to go for other options, and this is their right.
Earlier this month, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya announced a new strategic alliance, with a commitment to hold regular summits to address shared security and economic challenges.
The presidents of Algeria and Tunisia agreed with the head of the Libyan Presidential Council, Mohamed Menfi, at the seventh summit of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum in Algiers, to hold quarterly meetings, with the first meeting to be held in Tunisia after the end of Ramadan.
President Tebboune later discussed with Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani the possibility of Mauritania joining these meetings.
Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf gave clarification at a press conference in Algiers on Tuesday about the tripartite Maghreb summit called by Tebboune.
The initiative is the result of the stalemate in the Maghreb Union, he said, adding that Tebboune promoted this idea about a year ago, stressing that the Maghreb region lacks consultative structures.
Algeria is trying to convince Maghreb countries of the need to fill this vacuum, he said, adding that the aim is to activate the existing structures and agreements of the Maghreb Union, which are still in force but are not operational.
President Tebboune put forward the idea and is waiting for the revival of the Maghreb Union, he said, explaining that his mission as special envoy is to explain this vision during his visits to Maghreb countries.
He pointed out that Algeria is working to achieve economic integration with the Maghreb countries, as it was announced the establishment of joint free zones with Tunisia, Libya and Mauritania to promote intra-regional trade, remove customs barriers and provide investment opportunities in these zones.
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