Algerian writer Tahar Ouettar dies at 74 following a long illness

Algerian writer Tahar Ouettar, 74, died Thursday following a long illness. He was buried on Friday at El Alia cemetery in Algiers. 

• Abdelaziz Belkhadem, Minister of State and Personal Representative of the President of Republic, members of government and many artists, friends and mourners attended the funeral.

• Previously, Echorouk newspaper paid tribute to the famous Algerian writer in Paris, when he was in France for medical treatment. During this encounter full of emotion and nostalgia, Tahar Ouettar, very moved, was handed over by the newspaper “Echorouk” a recognition and consideration trophy for his remarkable literary work which has been hailed in the four corners of the world.

• Given his paltry health condition, Tahar Ouettar was living in a small flat in the Paris suburbs where he has the necessary amenities provided by the owner of the apartment in return for a reasonable rent. This allowed him to follow his medical treatment without any major hindrance in comparison with the recent past where he used to live in a hotel room where conditions were rather difficult. During this historic encounter, Tahar Ouattar was surrounded by two of his closest friends namely his French publisher, Françis Kamb and renowned writer Salah Kataf as well as by his brother’s son Rafik and some members of the reception family who provided him with the small apartment where he is living.
• Françis Kameb, French publisher and poet said; “Tahar Ouettar is the writer of the Maghreb who has the largest readership in France and his books are highly appreciated by many people in various parts of the world”.