Deputy Prime Minister Yazid Zerhouni to Echourok: Authorities denied the march of February 12.
The Deputy Prime Minister Yazid Zerhouni has asserted that the government will not yield to the pressure of the political parties and other associations, which demanded the lift of the state of emergency, arguing that this decision is vital to the stability of the country for the time being.
- Talking on the sidelines of the wrapping up of the proceedings of the fall session at the senate – the Algerian parliament upper house– , M Zerhouni has declared to Echourok that “ the state of emergency is a process designed to foster coordination between the military forces and other security bodies”, denying that the move was aimed at limiting individual liberties or crushing the opposition.
- The Deputy Prime Minister has indicated that the Algerian authorities didn’t grant permission for the so called “National Coordination for the Forces of Change” that called for the February 12th march raising the threat of troubles that could undermine law and order. The minister has recalled the tragic events that occurred in June 2001, which left victims and damage.
- However, M Zerhouni has indicated that the government is due to review the status that rules the associations, hinting to the possibility of recognizing new associations, but declined to precise whether these associations were political or not.