Algeria: French stance of election is a rejected interference in our affairs

Algeria considered the French official reaction to the Algerian presidential elections an unacceptable interference in its internal affairs.

Algerian sources said yesterday evening that "Algeria refuses France's unacceptable interference and that the democratic choice was taken by the Algerian people."

Algerian president-elect Abdul Aziz Bouteflika expressed his feeling of deep shock toward the position taken by France and said he will not accept any interference.

French Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine stated yesterday morning that Paris feels concern over the circumstances surrounding the presidential elections in Algeria and added, "We still hope that the Algerian people could achieve their democratic ambitions through multiplicity."

On the other hand, Francois Land the secretary general of the ruling Socialist Party in France, who is close to Prime Minister Lionel Jospin, called for canceling the result of elections. He said that Bouteflika cannot gain legitimacy through these elections even if they were legally sound.

Former French Prime Minister Pierre Morowa said, "We feel sorry because president Zeroual did not cancel these elections, and what happened is a severe strike for the hope born by the Algerian election campaign."