Chakib Khalil: “I Am Not A Candidate For Presidential Elections”

Former Energy and Mines Minister, Chakib Khalil, said has no ambition to become President of the republic, as it is currently being traded on a large scale.

Chakib Khalil’s denial came in response to a question by some of the attendees at “Sheikh Fakir” Zaouiya in Tiberkanine, west of Ain Defla, where he came down on Tuesday evening, after his tour to the Zaouiya of Chlef and Relizane (western Algeria).

“I visited the Tiberkanine Zaouiya as a citizen and not as a candidate for the Presidential Elections. I have come as any citizen, and not as a candidate. I came to visit the houses of Allah only”.

 “Everyone should maintain the nation and its properties, and Algerians should pay attention to their state. Citizens who do not preserve it are not brave men and women, and they are not required to be officials to maintain it.”

“I did not met with President Bouteflika, since my return from America last month.”

The spokesman, who was received by a representative of the Zaouiya and local MPs from the two chambers, strongly criticized what Rachid Nekaz did, when he tried to prevent him from visiting the Zaouiya of Ain Merane in Chlef on Tuesday. 

A position that was criticized by the President of the National Union of Zaouiya saying: “Chakib Khalil is an Algerian citizen and a national figure, and Nekaz has not the right to block his way to visit the holy sites.”

Chakib Khelil took dinner at Tiberkanine Zaouiya accompanied by a group of elected and guests in the presence of the Director of Religious Affairs, who is one of the sons of the Zaouiya’s Sheikh and local officials.