Algeria presidential elections: Belaiz cuts opposition way

The Algerian interior minister Taib Belaiz started receiving big countries’ ambassadors as part of a political campaign ahead of the next presidential elections in response to parties which are against President Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s fourth term.

Belaiz Sunday received the US, France, Spain and Japan’s ambassadors to Algiers and talked to them about a number of political indicators including the elections.

According to diplomats, western ambassadors do not hesitate to talk about such topics to clarify visions. They dare to talk about transparency conditions.

The European Commission’s recent report mentioned some remarks about the Algerian last legislative elections and asked Algeria to respect them on the next elections.

This came as the US ambassador to Algeria Henri Ensher talked about the presidential elections in a press conference, saying his meetings with political parties are part of his diplomatic missions.

Belaiz who is close to President Bouteflika will be in charge of logistic preparation for the elections.

He said in a release that Algeria wants those countries to support it in different sensitive fields including security, fighting organized crimes, civil protection, natural catastrophes management and local governments.

He also stressed the necessity of training, knowledge and experiences exchange as part of partnership in different strategic fields of common interest.

The US ambassador hailed bilateral relations, saying his country is ready to support it in terms of fighting terrorism and cybercriminality and scientific police.

The French ambassador André Parant expressed satisfaction over stable relations between the two countries.

Talks with Japan’s ambassador Tsukasa Kawada were about bilateral cooperation in development fields and gave priority to natural catastrophes management.

The meeting with Spain’s ambassador Gabriel Busquets was a farewell visit as his mission was finished in Algeria.