France, Jan. 30 -- Royal, who now heads up the France-Algeria Association, an organisation that promotes friendship and cooperation between the two countries, met with Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebbouneon Friday morning, before visiting Gleizes.

She had received permission to visit the French journalist following his transfer from a prison in Tizi Ouzou in the region of Kabylie toKolea prison, close to Algiers.

"I met someone with great inner strength, who is determined to keep going," Royal told newspaperLe Parisienshortly after their meeting on Friday.

"He is being treated well, reads a lot, exercises, and follows the news. He wants to continue pursuing journalism, his passion, as soon as possible."

Gleizes' mother, Sylvie Goda...