State of Emergency lifting in Algeria: “an important step” towards democracy, says Foreign Office

LONDON-The lifting of the state of Emergency, decided recently by President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, is an “important step” that UK encourages, Foreign Office spokesman Barry Marston told APS Friday.

“The Foreign Office welcomes this decision which we consider as a significant and important step towards democracy for the Algerian people,” the official said.

“He added that UK hopes that this measure will better serve the process of national reconciliation (in Algeria) and that the Algerian people will build a stable country in which peace and progress will prevail,” Marston added.

The lifting of the state of emergency, in force since 1992, will become effective before the end of February, Ahmed Ouyahia Secretary General of the National Democratic Rally (RND).said Wednesday at the opening of a coordination meeting presidential alliance.