IRNA � Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif leading a political delegation arrived in Algiers on Sunday to confer with the country's high ranking officials on issues of mutual interest along with regional and global developments.

Upon his arrival, Zarif and his entourage were welcomed by his Algerian counterpart Abdelkader Messahel and Iran�s Ambassador to Algiers Reza Ameri.

During his stay, Zarif is to confer with Algerian Prime Minister Abdelmadjid Tebboune on issues of mutual interest.

Zarif departed Tehran on Sunday morning for a visit to Algeria on the first leg of his two-day visit to three North African countries of Algeria, Mauritania, and Tunisia.

The visits are aimed at boosting mutual relations and expanding the ties between Iran and the African countries, as well as discussing the developments of the region, including Syria and the Persian Gulf.

The last Iranian foreign minister's visits to Tunisia and Algeria date back to two years ago.

Referring to Zarif visits to the three African countries, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Bahram Qasemi said on Saturday developments of the region necessitate solidarity among Muslim countries in the face of ill-wishers and those who want to see them divided.