A United Nations official on Monday hailed Algeria's role in helping countries of the Sahel and West Africa tackle security challenges including terrorism and violent extremism.

Mohamed Ibn Chambas, special representative of the UN secretary general for West Africa and Sahel, made the remarks in Algiers following talks with Algerian Foreign Minister Abdelkader Messahel.

"The Sahel and West Africa today are confronted with particular challenges related principally to security and the fight against terrorism and violent extremism, while Algeria is a friendly and brotherly country, and has been supporting West Africa and the Sahel for years in this regard," said the UN envoy.

"I would like to express the appreciation of the United Nations for the work Algeria is doing in this regard," he added.

Chambas underlined the rich experience that Algeria has in fighting terrorism, while urging the Sahel and West African countries to take advantage of the experience in a bid to deal with emerging security challenges.

Xinhua