Sellal: “Algeria’s enemies behind Tiguentourine attack and not Islamists”

The celebration of Algeria’s hydrocarbons nationalization inside Tiguentourine gas plant which was attacked by terrorists is a brave position against international terrorism, Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal said.

“Algeria was hit by international terror. The attack aimed at shaking the Algerian people’s unity and national stability,” told a conference on the Hydrocarbons Nationalization Day.

“Those who tried to destroy the gas plant are Algeria’s enemies and not Islamists. The best response is remaining unified,” he added.

According to the minister, the Algerian army’s performance shows its high capacities and competences.

“The saddest point is that some Algerians were among the attackers,” he said.

He called for cooperation to restore security rapidly and “eliminate the little group which wants to separate the south from Algeria.”

Algerian energy minister Youcef Yousfi said Algeria was hit by people who wanted to shake its stability and divide its people. “Yet, the army’s intervention foiled the attack. It deserves appreciation and respect from society.”

Sellal had checked technical difficult conditions for a month before he started up one of three gas streams at the plant, which is jointly run by BP, Algeria’s state-owned Sonatrach and Norway’s Statoil.

The operating plant produces 3 billion cubic meters per year. The second plant is expected to start operating in April. Algerian officials will meet with British and Norwegian partners next week to decide about the third plant which was severely hit.

Engineers told Echorouk the third plant may have to be radically changed due and this will not be done before a year. They are working on evaluating damage and repairing machines. Foreign workers refused to come back to the site.

According to sources, Sonatrach’s partners want to have more guaranties to ensure their safety as workers found some human organs in the gas site.