Algeria approves lifting of state of emergency

Algeria's cabinet has approved the lifting of a 19-year-old state of emergency Tuesday saying the order will be adopted following its “imminent” publication in the country's official gazette.

By News Wires (text)

REUTERS - Algeria's cabinet on Tuesday adopted an order to lift the 19-year-old state of emergency, a concession designed to keep out a wave of protests sweeping the Arab world.

An instruction to lift the state of emergency will come into force from its "imminent" publication in the official gazette, the APS news agency reported.

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The state of emergency was imposed to help the authorities combat Islamist rebels, but in the past few years the violence has subsided and government critics have alleged the emergency rules are being used to repress political freedoms.

Ending the emergency powers was one of the demands voiced by opposition protests who have been staging weekly protests in the Algerian capital that have gathered a few hundred people.

President Abdelaziz Bouteflika announced at the start of this month that the emergency rules would be lifted soon.

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Fatima Yous, president of the Paris-based human rights group SOS Missing families in Algeria, stands in Paris' Place de la Republique as the solidarity protest begins. (Photo: Rachel Holman)

Hundreds gather at the French capital's historic square. (Photo: Rachel Holman)

Protesters dance and wave flags from a monument at the centre of Place de la Republique. (Photo: Rachel Holman)

Women dance while holding an Algerian flag as music blares from a loudspeaker. (Photo: Rachel Holman)

Protesters come draped with Algeria's emblematic green, white and red flag. (Photo: Rachel Holman)

Anti-government protests in Algeria and Paris have called for Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika to be removed from power and democratic reform. Here, a man holds a sign demanding that "Bouteflika get out!" (Photo: Rachel Holman)

A man prays amid the din of the protest. (Photo: Charlotte Boitiaux)

Hassen Djeddi, a young salesman, proudly wears both the Tunisian and Algerian national flags in a show of solidarity. (Photo: Rachel Holman)

A man and a young girl perched on a lamp post, chant with the crowd. (Photo: Rachel Holman)

Taking inspiration from recent popular uprisings in Tunisia, Egypt and Algeria, a man holds a sign demanding that Gabon's President Ali Bongo Ondimba "Get out!" (Photo: Rachel Holman)

The lifting of the state of emergency will limit the military's scope under the law to get involved in domestic security issues. But it is likely to have only limited implications for Algeria's poltical life.

The emergency rules banned protest marches in the capital but Bouteflika said earlier this month this restriction would remain in force indefinitely.