Algerian government commends successful referendum

Reactions continued on Friday to the Algerian approval of the "peace and national reconciliation document" by a greater majority of 97.4%.

Observers consider that the Algerian President Abdul Aziz Butaflika succeeded in his pledge during the referendum to get the public approval to continue the national reconciliation policy whose agreement was approved in 1999.

The secretary general of the Algerian National Liberation Front ( the ruling party) Abdul Aziz Balkhadem expressed his party's pride over these results. He stressed that "the Algerian party renewed attachment to peace and ultimately to close a painful page of its history to start a new promising era."

The Democratic National Coalition, the front's alley, described the event as historic. The spokesman for the coalition Miloud Sharqi said "it is a great victory for the Algerian people for attaining peace and stability."

Meantime, the leader of the Socialist Forces Front, Hassan Ayat Ahmad, described the referendum as a "farce and a war act similar to Tsunami which overcome every and each opposition expression." In press statements, he considered that Butaflika seeks to enhance his authorities by making use of the desire of the Algerians for peace and reconciliation.

Ahmad criticized France's position which described the voting process as democratic, adding that there is noting in this vote that relates to freedom or democracy.