What is a government for, a historic vote by Algeria

The Algerian people's assembly rejected a draft resolution that would allow the establishment of private companies that insure the protection of citizens and properties.

107 electors voted against the draft resolution the government presented through the Interior Ministry, while 73 deputies supported it and 31 refused to vote.

The opposing votes from parties inside the governmental coalition included the National Democratic Assembly, the Democratic National Liberation Front, the National Liberation Front, the Peace and Revival Community Movement, the Socialists Forces Front and the Labor Party.

The vote marks the first time in the history of the Algerian People's Assembly that it his voted down a resolution presented by the government.

The members explained their decision by saying that establishing such companies makes it seem as if the state is abandoning one of its constitutional functions: guaranteeing the protection of Algerian citizens and properties.

In Algeria, due to the internal terrorism that is taking place daily, reporters have been forced to live collectively for years, for fear of death by militants and others, in hotels protected by government security forces.