LONDON, May 23 (UPI) -- Algeria is commended for the start of negotiations on political reform in the country, the British foreign minister for North African affairs said.
London praised Algeria for the start of a national dialogue on political reform. The discussions are meant as reviews of constitutional and electoral issues as well as the role of women in public affairs.
"These are all issues of great importance to the people of Algeria," said Middle East and North African Minister Alistair Burt in a statement. "We will be following developments with interest."
Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika lifted a 19-year state of emergency in February and said a series of reforms to the country's constitution would go into force soon.
Algeria is facing more than just political challenges, however. Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb, the North African branch of al-Qaida, is active in the region.
A 12-minute audiotape purportedly of Osama bin Laden, released after his death, praises protests and uprisings in African and Middle East countries.
Commenting on North Africa's Maghreb, which includes Tunisia, Libya and Algeria, a voice said to be bin Laden's is heard saying: "The (Muslim) nation was always getting ready for the victory that is rising from the eastern horizon but the surprise was that the sun of the revolution rose from the Maghreb, the west."
