19 national personalities want to meet President Bouteflika

A total of 19 national personalities including former ministers, war veterans and human rights activists asked to meet President Abdelaziz Bouteflika. They want to ask questions about “serious and false decisions which threaten the country’s general situation and would cause the collapse of the State.”

The personalities sit on a round table at Safir Hotel in Algiers on Friday. They were led by Secretary General of Workers’ Party Louisa Hanoune, former culture minister Khalida Toumi and novelist Rachid Boudjedra. They addressed a letter to President Bouteflika asking him to hold a meeting with them.

“As Algerians, it is our duty to draw your attention that public rights are not respected in our country,” said the letter.

The personalities warned against an “informal and illegal” management of institutions along with the bad economic and social situation.

They described solutions proposed by authorities as “worrying.”

“The country is offering its resources and capacities to foreigners. The State abandoned Algerian executives who are oppressed,” said the letter.

The personalities also said they are “sorry for the sad and terrifying image of the country,” asserting that they are not against President Bouteflika.

“Yet, we are convinced that this situation does not reflect your history as a war veteran. Because of that, we would like to meet you to share with you our deep concerns about the country’s future.”