French PM leads delegation to Algeria as tensions ease

French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne arrived in Algeria with a top-level delegation for a visit aimed at improving ties with the former French colony and major gas exporter.

Her two-day trip along with more than a dozen ministers comes just six weeks after President Emmanuel Macron concluded a three-day visit that sought to end months of tensions with Algiers.

Prime Minister Aimene Benabderrahmane welcomed the delegation at the capital's main airport, and the pair later presided over a high-level meeting mainly addressing economic cooperation.

French and Algerian ministers present signed around a dozen texts including "declarations of intent" on employment, industrial cooperation and tourism.

Earlier in the day, Borne had laid a wreath at a monument to martyrs of Algeria's eight-year war for independence, and visited a cemetery for French nationals who lived in Algeria during France's 132-year rule, which ended in 1962.

Ties between the North African country and its former colonial ruler had seen months of tensions after Macron last year questioned Algeria's existence as a nation before the French occupation, accusing the government of fomenting "hatred towards France".

But during his visit in August, Macron and his Algerian counterpart Abdelmadjid Tebboune drew a line under the spat.

The two spoke on the phone and confirmed their "satisfaction with the positive direction" of ties, Tebboune's office said.

Borne is set to meet with the president.