Karim Younis, a speaker for the Algerian parliament

The Algerian new national legislative council on Monday elected the candidate of the national liberation front Karim Younis with a majority of 271 votes against 52 received by his rival, the candidate for the national reforms movement Muhammad Younisi, while other 63 members voted by "white cards" and three were absent.

In a speech he delivered after he assumed his post from his predecessor Abdul Qader Bin Saleh, Younis said that his mission constitutes a heavy responsibility for him and he "is ready to bear the burden" and will work "to make the council a forum for democracy and reciprocated discussions for the interests of the people." Younis used to have the post of the minister of vocational formation in the former government of Ali Bin Flis, and had the same post in the former ministries of Ahmad O Yahya; Ismael Hamadani and Ahmad Bin Beitour. He is also member of the political bureau of the national liberation front and has come from al-Qabael area.

The new Algerian parliament which was elected on May 30 held its first session on Sunday.