Britain to work with Algeria on counter-terrorism, says David Cameron

Prime minister announces partnership as he becomes first British leader to visit country since independence

David Cameron, who announced a 'strengthened security partnership' with Algeria. Photograph: Andy Rain/EPA Britain will offer to work alongside Algerian forces on counter-terrorism as part of a new joint security partnership announced by David Cameron as he arrived in Algiers, the first British prime minister to visit Algeria since independence. The prime minister said his aim was to help the country "help itself" amid a growing threat from al-Qaida-linked terrorists in the region. Cameron is offering a joint security compact including access to UK intelligence in the wake of the attack on an Algerian natural gas plant that left 37 foreigners dead including up to six Britons. Britain is hoping that the first talks on closer security co-operation will start in the spring with a progress report in the summer to both prime ministers. The British side is to be led by Sir Kim Darroch, the prime minister's national security adviser. British soldiers would work alongside Algerians on a limited number of operations, but the chief focus would be on shared intelligence, border security and countering extemist propaganda. The British side did not confirm training of Algerian special forces by British special forces. Cameron said the attack on the gas plant and the situation in Mali "reminds us of the importance of partnership between Britain and countries in the region".