Algerian police thwart possible attack on military site

2009-11-02 Algerian security forces disrupted a planned suicide or car bombing attack on military facilities in Constantine, Echorouk reported on Sunday (November 1st). Police and investigators searching the residences of three recently-arrested terror suspects reportedly uncovered detailed plans and drawings of military sites in and around the eastern city. These include El Mansoura, home to the regional command of the national gendarmerie.

UN investigates modern-day slavery in Mauritania

2009-11-02 A United Nations mission will be in Mauritania through November 4th to evaluate slavery practices in the country, ANI and Journal Tahalil reported on Monday (November 2nd). Upon the invitation of the Mauritanian government, the international experts arrived last week to meet with local officials and NGO representatives in communities where slavery endures. "Mauritania only criminalised slavery in 2007. This visit affords me the opportunity to investigate the impact of the recent legislation," ANI quoted UN Special Rapporteur and mission leader Gulnara Shahinian as saying. The mission's findings will be presented to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in 2010.

Morocco hosts Forum for the Future

2009-11-02 Representatives of G8 and MENA nations, the EU, the Arab League and other international organisations opened the 6th Forum for the Future on Monday (November 2nd) in Marrakech, MAP reported. The 2-day event aims at building partnerships between world politicians, business leaders and civil society. Subjects to be discussed include the global financial crisis, the Middle East, terrorism, energy, good governance and sustainable development.

Mauritanian president, journalists' union discuss reform

2009-11-02 The Mauritanian Journalists Union executive board met with President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz on Sunday (November 1st) in Nouakchott to discuss obstacles facing their profession, ANI reported. Aziz pledged to thoroughly examine the union board's demands. He also said he would set up a training centre for journalists at the Ecole Nationale d'Administration. During a meeting in France last week with Reporters without Borders (RSF), Aziz claimed that freedom of the press was one of his priorities.

Libya launches electronic services portal

2009-11-02 In an effort to implement e-government measures, Libya on Saturday (October 31st) inaugurated a national electronic services website, PANA reported. The portal, bawabtlibya.com, will provide public access to databases, geographical statistics and other government information.

Aspiring suicide bomber surrenders in Algeria

2009-11-01 A would-be al-Qaeda suicide bomber surrendered to Algerian authorities last week in Batna, Liberte reported on Friday (October 30th). Abu abd El-Samih, 29, of the "El-Mawt" brigade, was wanted in connection with a 2007 Batna suicide bombing that targeted Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika. The failed assassination attempt killed 22 people and injured more than 100 others.

Also on Friday, pan-Arab daily Asharq Alawsat quoted Algerian Interior Minister Noureddine Yazid Zerhouni as saying that many terrorists "have been forced into a corner and have had no choice but to surrender". According to the minister, "al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb is living its final moments".

In related news, some 20 terrorists on Friday (October 30th) kidnapped a business owner at his workplace in Tigzirt, Tizi Ouzou province. The assailants, members of al-Qaeda's El-Ansar brigade, reportedly hijacked a van and its driver to make their escape.

EU leaders pursue illegal immigration accord with Libya

2009-11-01 European government leaders on Friday (October 30th) called on the European Commission and the EU presidency to work more closely with Libya to stem the tide of illegal migration, international press reported. According to a statement issued at the EU summit in Brussels, the 27-member bloc asked for greater co-operation with Libya regarding maritime operations, border controls and re-admission policy. The EU summit participants also agreed to consider sharing the cost of charter flights to repatriate illegal immigrants. The proposals are in response to the recent appeal by France and Italy for the EU to reach an immigration accord with Libya.

US Secretary Clinton arrives in Morocco for G-8, MENA forum

2009-11-01 Morocco and current G-8 chair Italy will host the 6th Forum for the Future on Monday (November 2nd) in Marrakech. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who arrived in Morocco on Sunday, is among the government officials set to attend the 2-day forum to discuss political and economic reform in the MENA region, MAP reported.

In a separate event, some 120 international politicians and business leaders gathered in Marrakesh on Saturday (October 31st) to address global governance issues at the 2nd World Policy Conference, MAP reported. The week-end symposium, organised by the French Institute of International Relations (IFRI), will reportedly address international law, immigration, energy and other issues.