Algerian salvation front initiative to end violence

Leader of the banned Islamic Salvation Front in Algeria, Abbasi Madani, said that halting violence in the country requires that the government will work to free all prisoners and unmask the fate of the missing as well as lift the state of emergency.

He added through "san frontier" which was broadcast by al-Jazeera TV on Wednesday evening that there is an initiative to this effect circulated to the government, the army and several sides, noting that it is still under discussions.

Madani said that the initiative crystallizes all procedural measures and concentrate on the element of ending the crisis starting as from stopping the bloodshed, blaming the government for this bloodshed. Madani accused the current government that it had done what was not done by the colonialists in 100 years and described it as an extension for the country of colonialism.

Madani denied that there is a secret deal between him and the Algerian President Abdul Aziz Butaflika that resulted in giving him a passport under the condition that he supports Butaflika in the next elections. But Madani said he does not turn down calls for reconciliation and meeting with the President.

The Algerian authorities detained Madani before the army- backed government canceled general elections the front was about to win in 1992. A matter which flared up violence that later resulted so far in killing 150,000 persons.

Madani spent 12 years in prison on charge of threatening state security and he was released by the authorities in July but under the condition to abstain political activities.