Algeria–Egypt relations  Algeria–Egypt relations refer to the bilateral ties between the governments of the two Arab North African countries of Egypt and Algeria. Relations between both countries have been generally friendly throughout their history which dates back to Egypt's strong support for Ahmed Ben Bella's FLN during the Algerian War of Independence. This was later followed by Algeria's support for Egypt during the Six-Day War in 1967 and the October War in 1973. In addition both countries are member states of the Arab League while sharing similar views on major regional issues such as the Palestinian cause and the conflict in Sudan as well as the same vision on reforming the United Nations Security Council. During the eight-year-long Algerian struggle for independence against French rule, Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser was a strong vocal supporter of the resistance movement and provided significant military aid to the National Liberation Front (FLN). This had prompted increasing French anger towards Nasser which, in addition to Nasser's nationalization of the Suez Canal, drove them to join the United Kingdom and Israel in an attack on Egypt during the Suez Crisis of 1956. Even General André Beaufre, commander of the French forces during the confrontation, said that "France would have fewer problems if Nasser was removed," a clear reference to the Egyptian president’s ongoing support for Ahmed Ben Bella leader of the FLN. Records from archives and conversations further substantiate the French position and this was clearly portrayed in a conversation between US Secretary of State John Foster Dulles and US President Dwight D. Eisenhower where it was claimed that "the French would rather fight at the center of trouble (Egypt) rather than around the periphery of difficulty (Algeria)". For France, Suez had always been about Algeria and traditional narratives therefore argue that the Egyptian victory following the crisis bolstered the FLN’s cause. On several occasions, Nasser showed signs of determination to support the Algerians, according to his advisor Fathi al-Dib, and he even directed al-Dib to deliver as many arms and supplies as possible to the FLN by any means necessary even through airlifts if possible. Many shipments were smuggled through the border with Libya and this was in addition to the Algerians who received military training in Egypt, although this was initially denied by the Egyptian government when questioned by the international community. Other forms of weapon delivery to the FLN came through the sea and this had come to light when in 1956, a Sudanese-flagged ship, the "Athos", was on its way from Egypt to Algiers when it was intercepted by the French Navy and was found with a cargo of arms destined to the FLN including 2,300 rifles, 90 mortars and many other kinds of weaponry.