Madani Mezrag apologizes to President Abdellaziz Bouteflika

Madani Mezrag, the former chieftain of the so-called “Islamic Salvation Army” (AIS) has apologized to President Abdellaziz Bouteflika and decided to “withdraw” his offensive remarks in which he overtly threatened President Bouteflika, during a program broadcast last Saturday October 3rd by the private television channel “El Watan” TV which has now been shut down by the authorities as a result of this much controversial interview.

“I withdraw my remarks about the strong response that I had prepared for the President and I decided to write a sincere apology letter to advise the President to honor his commitment contained in the national reconciliation charter, Mezrag said.

Madani Mezrag further criticized journalists and politicians who took advantage of what he called the “momentary conflict” with President Bouteflika.

“They took the opportunity of my dispute with the President, caused by a false expression in a speech attributed to me,” he said before adding, “they rushed and wrote fake articles and distorted my remarks”, as he put it.

The former head of the “AIS” also harked back to the recent press statement made by Mr Ali Benflis who claimed to have made no pledge for the return of Madani Mezrag to the national political scene.

“Ali Benflis was wrong in what he said and he should shut up”, argued Madani Mezrag who said he thought of Benflis being a responsible man belonging to the conservative trend “who knows the danger of hiding the truth” and that of making a “false statement”. “Your ambitions have blinded you and you’ve committed a political suicide,” wrote Madani Mezrag.

On the closing of the private television channel “El Watan” TV, Madani Mezrag evoked several reasons including the lack of official certification and the channel’s promotion of what he called “the principles of Islamic morality and national values”.

The private channel “El Watan” TV has been taken off air in Algeria days after it broadcast the much-controversial interview with Madani Mezrag who offended the President of the Republic for allegedly preventing his moves to create a political party.

In a statement, the Communications Ministry said the channel “operates in an illegal manner and broadcasts subversive contents and remarks detrimental to state symbols.”