Cameron urges united fight against terrorism with 'everything at our disposal'

The British PM underlined that terrorism in Mali was "constant and clearly growing (…) we must be ready to respond to it."The recent  In Amenas hostage crisis, in which some 37 foreigners died, was "a reminder that what happens in other countries affects us at home", he said.

He discussed the terorism threat with Algerian Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal and announced that the two prime ministers had agreed a security partnership, including co-operation on border and aviation security, as well as joint action on trade, investment and education.Bilateral UK trade with Algeria increased 96% in 2011, and Algeria supplies 5% of the UK's gas needs.

The UK has also invited Algeria to participate in a joint contingency planning exercise to share experience in responding to crisis situations.

Up to 240 British  troops could be deployed to train the Malian military and prepare soldiers from other African countries, while another 90 personnel could provide air support.A roll-on, roll-off ferry has also been offered to transport French equipment to Africa.

Mr Cameron insisted that the solution to the conflict in Mali does not lie in military means aloneand that he did not envisage the situation developing in a similar way to Afghanistan or Libya.Before coming to Algeria he said the struggle against terrorism in North Africa could last a generation.
 
The Prime Minister's national security advisor Kim Darroch, the head of foreign security service MI6 Sir John Sawers and trade minister Lord Risby are accompanying Mr Cameron.