Bouteflika to Mebazaa: good luck in your job

Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika conveyed a letter to Tunisian interim president Fouad Mebazaa, saying he wishes success in his mission to solve the crisis.

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  “In view of brotherhood and neighbouring ties between our people, I am fully confident that you will be inspired by the Tunisian authentic genius to bring prosperity to your people,” said the letter.

  President Bouteflika did not talk about the former president Zinelabidine Ben Ali. His letter came three days after the Head of State’s prerogatives had been transferred to the Tunisian speaker of parliament Fouad Mebazaa from Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi. Zinelabidine Ben Ali quitted and fled to Saudi Arabia on Friday. He is living there as a political refugee.

  Earlier, observers and journalists wondered about the Algerian position towards events in Tunisia. Some said it is Algeria’s silence diplomacy while others explained that by the mysterious events. Algeria adopts the principle of non-interference in domestic affairs of other countries.

  Previously before Bouteflika’s letter, Algerian State Minister Abdelaziz Belkhadem called for respecting the Tunisian people’s will. “The Tunisian people’s will should be respected. They are the master to choose who should preside them,” he said.

  He denied that there were common points between events in Tunisia and protests in Algeria against explosion in prices. “They said there is a Sidi Bouzid contamination in Algeria. They do not know the Algerian people’s psychological state,” he said.

  “Algeria preceded Sidi Bouzid through the October 5^th’s protests in 1988. Protests take place everyday in some villages or municipalities,” he added.

  “Protests are almost daily in Algeria.”