Omar Shabbi - AL-Monitor: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012

Omar Shabbi

Omar Shabbi is an Algerian journalist based in Algiers. He has been covering Algerian political and security issues for 25 years.

U.N. Special Envoy Bernardino Leon (C) attends a meeting in Ghadames September 29, 2014. Libya's elected parliament held U.N.-brokered talks with foes tied to a rival assembly on Monday calling for a ceasefire by armed factions and more dialogue to end a confrontation driving the OPEC member state close to civil war. Leon said after the meetings that both sides agreed on the need for a ceasefire, for humanitarian aid for victims of recent clashes in Tripoli, and to work to reopen airports closed by fighting

Is Algeria's dialogue initiative for Libya still viable?

Omar Shabbi

Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika (L), Algerian former President Chadli Bendjedid (R) and leader of the Islamist Ennahda movement Rached Ghannouchi (C) pray during the funeral of the first President of independent Algeria Ahmed Ben Bella at Al Alia Cemetery in Algiers April 13, 2012. Ahmed Ben Bella helped lead Algeria's fight for independence from France and after victory became its first president, a figure who symbolised the romance of the national liberation struggle before the harsh reality of ru

Algeria pushes for national dialogue in Libya

Omar Shabbi

Tunisian soldiers gather near the border with Algeria around Mount Chaambi, western Tunisia August 2, 2013. Tunisian troops exchanged fire with militants near the Algerian border on Thursday, security sources said, three days after gunmen killed eight soldiers in one of the deadliest attacks in decades on the country's security forces. Soldiers had been doing security sweeps since Monday in Mount Chaambi, a remote area where the army has been trying to track down Islamist militants since last December. REUT

AQIM defectors raise fears of IS branch in North Africa

Omar Shabbi

Tunisian soldiers patrol near the border with Algeria as seen from the area of Mount Chambi, west Tunisia June 11, 2013. A mine exploded this morning injuring one local shepherd near Mount Chaambi in Kasserine governorate near a closed military area, according to local media reports. REUTERS/Stringer (TUNISIA - Tags: MILITARY) - RTX10K2F

Jihadists coordinate on Tunisian-Algerian border

Omar Shabbi

Algerian Gendarmes take position on top of the Askrem Mountain near Tamanrasset, some 2,000 km (1,243 miles) south of the Algerian capital Algiers, December 13, 2013. Picture taken December 13, 2013. REUTERS/Ramzi Boudina (ALGERIA - Tags: MILITARY ENVIRONMENT) - RTX16JAC

Algeria considers Egypt alliance to confront Libyan terror threat

Omar Shabbi