The Algerian government has cancelled a scheduled state visit by German Chancellor Angela Merkel due to the failing health of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika. A two-day state visit had earlier been scheduled for February 21st to 22nd between the two governments, which will see Angela Merkel meet the president. However, the Prime Minister had been scheduled to be the main government interlocutor for the North African state. The war-torn North African state has been unstable since long-term leader Muammar Gaddafi was toppled and killed in the Arab spring of 2011. While there have been reports of improvement of late, the cancellation of the proposed state visit of Merkel has further shown the president health might have deteriorated in recent times.

Source: The North Africa Journal February 22, 2017 09:58 UTC