DEBT DISPUTE DELAYS RUSSIA-ALGIERS ARMS DEAL

MOSCOW [MENL] -- Algeria and Russia have failed to agree on a $4 billion arms deal amid a dispute over the debt by the North African state to the former Soviet Union. The dispute has torpedoed Russia's plans for an announcement of both arms and energy contracts with Algeria during the visit by President Vladimir Putin. Putin was scheduled to arrive in Algiers on Friday for a brief visit.