Algeria

CAIRO - Russia's VimpelCom Ltd and Weather Investments, the investment company headed by Egyptian telecom mogul Naguib Sawiris, said they are merging to form what would become the world's fifth largest mobile telecommunication service provider in a deal valued at over $6.5 billion.

CAIRO - Trading in mobile phone service provider Orascom Telecom's shares was halted on the Egyptian stock exchange Monday as the bourse sought clarification about reports of a possible deal with Russia's VimpelCom Ltd.

CAIRO - Egyptian mobile phone giant Orascom Telecom said Tuesday the Algerian government was ready to begin negotiating a possible purchase of Orascom's subsidiary in the North African nation.