Algeria refuses US call to invite UN observers to supervise presidential elections

Algeria has refused a call advocated by the US to invite international observers to follow up on the Presidential election to be held in the North African country in April. This was expressed on Thursday by Algerian Information Minister Abdul Aziz al-Rehabi.

US Undersecretary of State for Near East Affairs Martin Indyk has said that the US calls on the Algerian government and parties to extend invitations to international observers to supervise the presidential elections.

AFP said that Indyk praised, during a conference on relations between the US and the countries of the Arab Maghreb states, the commitment made by Algerian President Liamine Zeroual to organize open early Presidential elections. Indyk added that the election process, the campaign and the voting should be transparent, free and fair so as to have credibility. Indyk expressed his country's support for this Algerian measure.

He also expressed US support for what he called the policy of economic and political liberalization pursued by Zeroual.

The first session of the presidential elections in Algeria will start on April 15.