Algeria Orders Warships, Copters From Italy

CAIRO [MENL] -- Algeria, in its first major weapons deal with the West, has concluded a multi-billion-dollar agreement with Italy for military aircraft and warships.

Algerian sources said the Defense Ministry has concluded a four billion euro, or $5.9 billion, deal with Italy for submarines, helicopters and a range missiles. The sources said the deliveries, which would mark the end of a Western military embargo, were expected to begin in 2011.