Algerian political parties continue consultations on presidential elections

Algerian political parties continue their consultations, following the announcement of Algerian President Liamine Zeroual that Algeria hold early Presidential elections in the middle of February 1999,to reach political alliances and to agree on the names of their nominees for the coming elections.

In this context al-Nahda movement met with the National Party for Solidarity and Development and the Socialist Forces Front. The three sides discussed current conditions in the country and the consequences of the decision made by President Zeroual. They stressed the importance of political stability and the need to embody the ambitions of the people of Algeria to achieve justice and democracy.

For its part, the Republic National Coalition party addressed a call to the political parties to start "objective, brotherly consultations" so as to appoint one candidate or many honest and capable nationalist candidates, away from any pressures as well as to honor people's choice through neutrality in these elections.

Chairperson of the Youth and Democracy Movement, Shalabieh Mahjoubi, called upon political bodies to settle the critical problems that concern the future of Algeria.

Chairperson of the Labor Party, Lweiseh Hannoun, said that the decision of President Zeroual came amid crucial conditions in the country, adding that the decision may worsen the deteriorated conditions.

She called for a conference that can bring about legalized parties and sides as nationalistic figures so as to find out a political solution that can calm conditions and contribute to alleviating the daily sufferings of the Algerian citizens.