Zeroual refuses calls to stay in power

During a consultant meeting with the majority of the Algerian political parties, Algerian President Liamine Zeroual refused a call to stay in power. He viewed his call for early Presidential elections next February, which reduces his term of office from five years to three years, as a good development for the democratic process.

Delegations representing the ruling Democratic National Rally coalition party, the Peaceful Society Movement, the Renaissance Party, the Socialist Forces Front, the Labor Party, the Progressive Republican Party, and the Federation for Democracy and Freedom attended the meeting, held at the presidential palace.

Invitations were not sent to leaders of the banned Islamic Salvation Front to attended the advisory meeting, although that several moderate Islamic parties were invited to be involved in a national dialogue.

President Zeroual opened the meeting in a speech in which he reiterated what he stated in his September 11 speech. He restated his intention to ensure a rotation of authority, adding that his decision to step down early was necessitated by his "conscience," and is not a matter of resignation as explained by many.

Zeroual pledged to have a fair and honest elections and to carry out his full authorities until the new president assumes power.

Meanwhile, the secretary-general of the Socialist Forces Front, Ahmad Jeda, said that the coming elections are not of concern to his front. He added that elections were held during the three past years but crises are still persisting.

Jeda said that the participants in the meeting agreed that the parties will submit their assessments of the current situation to the presidency within five days.