Oyahya calls for active Democratic views to oppose Islamists influence
Algeria, Politics, 2/10/2003

A large force of the Algerian army has been launching a vast mopping up operation in al-Qabayel area in search of members of armed groups that are positioned strongly in the area, especially a group which belongs to the "al-Jama'a al-Salafeyah Leal-Dawa Walqital" (predestined group for fighting and the call) led by Hassan Hattab.

Algerian security sources said that 5,000 troops were recruited in the search operation for the armed men who were, in particular, stationed in Sayed Ali Bunab and Akfado which are extended throughout four Qabayel provinces of Teizi Ozo; Bajaya, al-Bweira and Bumerda, which adjoin the capital Algiers.

The operation started five days ago and it is attended by helicopters that bombard the positions and shelter which in particular belong to Hattab group, with 150 members.

On Saturday, Ahmad Oyehya, the advisor of President Abdul Aziz Butaflika called on the non- Islamic parties to form a "Democratic and Republic pole" in order to stand in the face of what he had described the danger of the Islamists who are expected to make a surprise showing in the presidential elections due next year.

Oyehya said that "as from now, the Islamists have been preparing for the Presidential elections and are active in mosques and universities," noting that these elections will be "catastrophic to Algeria" inif the democratic parties will not challenge them.

The secretary general of the Democratic Mational Coalition said that his party will not accept the election of an Islamist president. This was a reply to a statement made by the commander in chief of the Algerian army, Muhammad al-Ammari, who said one month before that the army will accept the results of the presidential elections even it they will be won by a candidate for the Islamists.

Previous Stories:
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  Algeria's foreign minister in Morocco to solve problems   (2/7/2003)
  Body of Algerian parliamentarian found in Paris   (1/30/2003)
  Algeria: Five Islamists killed   (1/30/2003)
  Acts of killings continue in Algeria   (1/23/2003)
  Algerian army uses American weapons to chase the gunmen   (1/10/2003)
  Butaflika calls on the government to carry out partial local elections   (11/27/2002)
  Municipal elections in Algeria   (10/10/2002)
  Butaflika: the war against Iraq is not justified Aznar: rapprochement with Algeria does not target Morocco   (10/9/2002)

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