21/06/2006
Algerian Minister of Environment and Regional Planning Chérif Rahmani launched a joint simulation exercise on marine pollution with the participation of French, Algerian, Moroccan, and Tunisian specialists on Tuesday (20 June). The operation is taking place near the port of Béthioua and stems from a sub-regional agreement signed on 20 June 2005. The concord between Algeria, Morocco and France stipulates an emergency plan in the event of marine pollution.
The exercise aims at enhancing co-ordination and communication mechanisms in case of a hydrocarbon discharge following a collision of an oil tanker. A second exercise on Wednesday will examine the human and technical capacities for cleaning beaches polluted by an oil slick. (L'Expression, Le Jeune Independant)