Secret negotiations between Algerian government and Islamic Salvation Army

Informed sources in Algeria revealed that a high-ranking officer in the army held communications last month with Islamic Salvation Army leadership in the state of Jijel where a special group from the national police is helping insure the main needs for the Islamic Salvation Army in the state.

The sources told ArabicNews.com that the leadership of the national police received a list of 800 members working within the Islamic Salvation Army in Jijel.

Meanwhile, sources close to the justice ministry reveal that there is a new draft for a general pardon, excluding those who are involved in crimes and killings, that includes elements of the Islamic Salvation Army and a large number of repeat offenders.

The sources added that the meeting between detained Islamic Salvation Front leader Sheikh Abassi Madani and Islamic Salvation Army leadership aims at informing the latter about the context of the procedures the Algerian authorities intend to take.