Algerian president Abdelmadjid Tebboune said oil, mining and other agreements with Niger are at risk of being destroyed. (EPA Images pic)ALGIERS: Algeria on Sunday approved sending troops to neighbouring Niger to protect energy facilities, according to statements from both houses of parliament, in what is the country's first foreign deployment of military forces since the 1970s.
The rare measure comes as Algiers and Niamey strengthen security ties after moving earlier this year to repair strained relations and following a thwarted mutiny in Niger in August.
The overseas deployment will be a first since Algiers sent troops to support Egypt during the 1973 Arab-Israeli war.
The upper house approved the proposal, it said in a statement, with a legislator telling AFP it was approved by all 148 members in attendance.
