Algeria refuses to host meeting of Mediterranean committee of International Socialist

Algerian authorities have refused to host next March 13-14 a meeting of the Mediterranean committee of the International Socialist "IS" association which groups socialist parties from across the world.

The Algerian authorities argued that it is impossible to hold the meeting as the country is getting ready for early presidential elections slated for April 15.

According to spokesman of the Algerian government, Abdelaziz Rahabi, Algeria does not want any direct interference in its affairs.

Rahabi, who is also minister of communication and culture, added that the government deems that the meeting, slated just some weeks before the presidential polls, is clearly targeting to influence the general unfolding of elections. The spokesman went on that when he was ambassador in Spain, he invited the IS to visit Algeria and they refused on grounds that their presence in the north African country might be understood as a support to Algerian authorities.

Algeria is "free to refuse" being "under the tutorship of the UNO, the IS or any other institution," he insisted.