France urges Algeria to respect peaceful protests

Reuters quoted the French Foreign Ministry Spokesman, Romain Nadal, as saying in a press conference in Paris on Friday, that France is closely following the political developments in Algeria.

“We want respect of the freedom of media and expression. The right to peaceful protest is part of the fundamental freedoms, and we hope these fundamental freedoms will be respected in Algeria, as anywhere in the world.”

With regard to the upcoming Presidential Elections, that are scheduled for 17 April, the French FM spokesman said; “These elections are important and must be addressed within the framework of the Algerian institutions by respecting the democratic principles.”

French official’s statements, came on the eve of the protest, which was called by “Barakat” movement to express its opposition to Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s Fourth Term, and just two days after the security forces prevented the sit-in that was organized by the leaders of the parties that boycott the Presidential Elections, in Algiers’ Martyr’s Shrine, including RCD, HAMS, Anahda, and the Party for Justice and Development, and the former PM who withdrew from the Presidential Elections, Ahmed Benbitour, as it also comes after the closure of the private satellite channel “Atlas”.