Rice seeks closer Maghreb counter-terror links

Algiers: US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice pushed for closer north African counter-terrorism cooperation on Saturday, during a tour of an oil-rich region periodically hit by violence blamed on Al Qaida.

Rice, visiting Algeria and Tunisia a day after holding a historic meeting with Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in Tripoli, told reporters she had been saddened by recent attacks in regional giant Algeria that killed scores of people.

Speaking after talks with Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, she said, "The cooperation here is good," adding the two countries had affirmed their "strong ties" in the discussions.

"But there is always more that you can do to tighten sharing of information, to make sure you have all the right channels to give technical support in terms of the terrorism threat," she said, referring to north African states generally.

"It is not a secret that it is a problem that has really been very salient in the Maghreb."

An estimated 125 people were killed in an upsurge of political violence in Algeria in August in attacks by Al Qaida's north Africa wing and clashes between the army and militants.

Rice said she also discussed security with President Zine Al Abidine Ben Ali on a visit to Tunisia earlier in the day.