Algeria invites 15 FIS founding members to hold their congress

Former senior member of the dissolved-Islamic Salvation Front (FIS) Hachemi Sahnouni said public authorities invited 15 founding members including Abbassi Madani and Ali Benhadj to be part of consultations over the party’s national congress.

“According to not sure information, the government invited 15 founding members of the FIS,” said Sahnouni in a TV talk show on Echorouk News.

 Asked about a possible name of the party, he said he did not have any information while the former leader of the Islamic Salvation Army Madani Mezrag was also invited.

Sahnouni also said he will participate in the consultations about Algeria’s new constitution “to serve the nation.”

He added that he will propose to extend presidential term to 7 renewable years.

Speaking about armed activists, he said it is a big mistake to call them “terrorists.” “We should call them the national tragedy victims.”

He believes that criminals and victims during Algeria’s black decade are both victims of the national tragedy.

He said he received many complaint letters from people and promised to convey them to the State Minister.