Saudi Arabia backs Algeria candidacy for UN Security Council seat

Saudi Arabia confirmed on Thursday it will support Algeria's bid for a non-permanent United Nations Security Council seat from 2024 to 2025.

"We are confident that Algeria will be an essential player in regional stability," said Riyadh's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan.

Bin Farhan made the statement to the media after he met with Algeria's President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, The New Arab's Arabic sister site, Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, reported.

The Saudi prince said he told Tebboune that Riyadh is appreciative of Algiers. 

He added that he spoke with Algerian Foreign Minister Ramtane Lamamra and found common ground on key regional and international issues.

Algeria has enjoyed good ties with both Saudi Arabia and regional rival Iran. 

Bin Farhan travelled to Algiers on Wednesday to participate in the third round of talks between the two countries at Algeria's foreign ministry on Thursday.

Tebboune's presidency, which began in 2019, has seen ties between Algeria and Saudi Arabia warm after a period of tension after Algiers refused to declare Iran-backed Lebanese militia Hezbollah a terror group in 2017.

Tebboune's first foreign trip as president was to the kingdom. He has largely crushed the Hirak pro-democracy movement in Algeria, which helped unseat veteran Algeria dictator, Abdelaziz Bouteflika. 

Saudi Arabia's support for Algeria's UN Security Council candidacy comes after the African Union backed it for a 2024–2025 seat in 2019.

The UAE is currently a non-permanent member of the Security Council until 2023.