Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with (a) the government of Algeria and (b) other regional states and partner organisations on peace and security in northern Mali.

On 5 September, the Minister of State for the Middle East, Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon, discussed the situation in northern Mali with the Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf. We continue to engage the Government of Algeria, regional partners, local organisations and all parties to the Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation to encourage commitment to peace in Mali. We are encouraging the United Nations to continue to support and oversee the implementation of the Peace Agreement during and after the departure of the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali. As we have said frequently, Mali's reliance on Russia will not deliver long-term peace or security for the Malian people. The UK will continue to monitor the situation in Mali and provide vital humanitarian aid to support those affected by conflict.