PM Ouyahia Urges Tuareg Of Algeria To Stick On National Unity

Prime Minister, Head of the National Democratic Rally (RND) in power, Ahmed Ouyahia has called upon the Tuareg populations in Tamenrasset and Illizi to remain vigilant ahead of facing any potential instability threat from some parties targeting to sow division in the North African nation.In a meeting held with Tuareg elders at the airport of Illizi, before returning to Algiers, Mr Ouyahia said Algeria crosses a critical stage which requires unifying popular efforts, notably in the southern region of the country.Earlier, during a meeting with the RND adherents and fans in Tamenrasset, Mr Ouyahia assumed that the Arab and the African Sahel regions are being targeted by ill intentioned foreign parties which are tending to sow instability to grab hydrocarbon resources there. The neighboring Tuareg rebels in northern Mali have recently proclaimed their independent state, which share border with the North African nation.He further reassured that “the government has taken necessary measures to manage the situation,” calling, however, the citizens to help security services in this mission.” “We are preoccupied by the events occurring in the region,” Mr Ouyahia said, adding that “the talks I’ve held with the local population and the supreme leader of Tuareg tribes, Amenokal Ahmed Idabir, permitted me to have broader understanding of the situation in Tamenrasset.” “The population of Tamenrasset shares the same religion and the same nation with the other populations elsewhere in Algeria,” Mr Ouyahia said, calling for “a massive participation in the parliamentary election of 10th May.”Algeria is extremely preoccupied by the recent developments prevailing on its southern border, notably after the abduction of Algeria consul and six of his assistants in the city of Gao (north east of Mali), and the proclamation of Azawad independent state.In this regard, PM Ouyahia affirmed Friday, in an interview with the French Le Monde newspaper, that the North African nation “would never accept calling into question the integrity of Mali,” saying “We support a solution that passes by dialogue.”