The United States welcomes Algeria 's cooperation on international counter-terrorism efforts and its contribution in maintaining stabilization in the Sahel region and the Arab world, US Secretary of State John Kerry said on Thursday.

Kerry was on its visit to the North African nation for the second session of the US-Algeria Strategic Dialogue in Algiers.

During a meeting co-chaired with Algerian Foreign Minister Ramtane Lamamra, Kerry said he was confident that the session will help develop bilateral relations between the two countries at a time "when peace and security are threatened worldwide more than ever before."

He emphasized that Algeria is an important "regional power" that contributes in maintaining stabilization and peace in the Maghreb, Africa and the Arab world.

"The United States remains in solidarity with Algeria in its fight against terrorism and will continue to work with this country in the Global Counter-terrorism Forum," he said. "Together we (Algeria and the United States) can contribute to the reconstruction of state rights with productive economies in the countries of Sahel and Africa."

He praised Algerian efforts to stabilize the Sahel region, including in Mali and Niger, which have witnessed an increase in armed clashes.

Last month the Algerian army killed eight suspected militants near its border with Tunisia. As armed conflicts in neighboring Libya and Mali cause regional political instability, the Algerian army has been deploying more troops near its borders and taking measures to crack down on suspected weapons smugglers.

The dialogue, launched in October 2012 in Washington, deals with a range of bilateral and regional issues, including political and security developments and boosting economic ties. It also includes consultation on international and regional issues of common interest.