Algerian Nations Council ratifies civil reconciliation law

The Algerian Nations Council agreed yesterday to the civil reconciliation law, which calls for issuing a partial pardon for armed Islamists by a majority 131 votes for the measure and four abstentions, out of 144 votes.

The National People's Assembly ratified the law on last Thursday by a majority of 288 votes for, 16 abstentions and one member opposing the measure.

The reconciliation law calls on individuals to present personal requests for pardon within six months after the proposal is ratified, but it did not include a general pardon for all groups, as conditions were made to pardon the armed Islamists who threw down their weapons and were not involved in killings, rapes or explosions.