German Chancellor Angela Merkel walks past the Algerian national

German Chancellor Angela Merkel walks past the Algerian national guard Thursday, July 17, 2008. Merkel sought to boost ties with Algeria as she over saw a deal to build one of the world's largest mosques in Algiers and launched a panel to enhance economic relations with this strategic oil and gas exporter. Merkel said she had agreed with Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika to set up this panel to "intensify and dynamize" business relations between Germany and Algeria. Germany depends to a large extent on Russia for its natural gas, and deepening ties with gas-rich Algeria could help diversify supplies. Merkel and Bouteflika met last weekend at the Mediterranean Summit in Paris.
AP Photo by OUAHAB HEBBAT