News
Zerhouni reveals rare data on kidnappings
16/05/2008
Algeria recorded a total of 375 kidnapping cases in 2007, Algerian Interior Minister Noureddine Yazid Zerhouni told parliament on Thursday (May 15th). 115 of the cases were related to terrorism or involved demands for ransom, he said. In a rare public release of information, Zerhouni said that a total of 6 billion dinars had been demanded as ransom, and that families of victims had paid 1.2 billion dinars to abductors. The minister acknowledged that the actual number of kidnappings may have been higher, but many cases remain unreported, particularly those involving children abducted by paedophiles.
Bouteflika approves aid to China quake victims
16/05/2008
Algeria will provide $1m to support victims of Monday's earthquake in China, AFP quoted a government source as saying on Thursday (May 15th). President Abdelaziz Bouteflika personally approved the aid, the source added. The 7.9 magnitude earthquake devastated Sichuan province, killing at least 50,000 people and injuring more than 100,000. PARAGRAPH
Salé court to investigate terror suspects' relatives
16/05/2008
The Appeals Court in Salé announced on Thursday (May 15th) that it would investigate terror suspects' family members, AP reported. The court said it plans to widen its investigation of 27 suspected recruiters of insurgents to fight in Iraq, known collectively as the "Tetouan cell", by looking into the backgrounds of some of the defendants' relatives. The court also said it would investigate the relatives of 52 defendants held on suspicion of involvement in suicide attacks in Casablanca in March and April 2007.
Arab heads of tourism security address terror risks at Tunis meeting
16/05/2008
Heads of Arab tourism security departments adopted new measures to prevent terrorist attacks at tourist sites on Thursday (May 15th), AP reported. Meeting in Tunis in part to respond to recent attacks on tourist sites in Egypt and Jordan and the February kidnapping of two Austrian tourists from Tunisia, the security representatives adopted measures aimed at better informing tourists about potential risks and better protecting archaeological sites.
Tunis to launch high speed urban rail network
16/05/2008
Tunis plans to launch a tender for the construction of an 80km fast urban railway network (RFR) in June, the Tunisian Transport Ministry announced on Thursday (May 15th). The project aims to significantly reduce traffic in the capital. Several French companies have already expressed interest in participating in the tender.
Moroccan bank eyes growth opportunities in Mauritania
16/05/2008
Mauritanian authorities authorised Moroccan banking group Attijariwafa to open a branch in the country, local press reported on Thursday (May 15th). The announcement was made earlier this week in Dakar at a press conference on the sidelines of a merger between Attijari Bank Sénégal and Compagnie Bancaire de l'Afrique de l'Ouest (CBAO). Attijariwafa recently acquired a 79.15% stake in CBAO as part of its strategy to expand into sub-Saharan Africa.
FAO earmarks 313m ouguiyas for agricultural support in Mauritania
16/05/2008
The UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) will grant 313 million ouguiyas to Mauritania to support farmers and protection crops, APA reported on Thursday (May 15th). FAO's representative in Nouakchott Radislav Pavlovic signed the grant agreements with Mauritanian Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Korera Issagha as part of a programme the FAO launched on December 17th to mitigate the negative impact of rising food prices on poor countries.
Algeria, Russia open negotiations on replacement of returned fighter jets
16/05/2008
Algeria launched negotiations with Russia to acquire between 12 and 16 Sukhoi-30 fighter jets to replace 15 MIG-29 fighter jets Algeria recently returned to Russia, citing poor quality, Reuters cited Russian press as saying on Thursday (May 15th). In 2006, Algeria purchased planes and other military equipment worth $6.5 billion in return for Russia's cancellation of Algeria's Soviet-era debt. According to news agency Interfax, a Russian military-industrial source said the new delivery could not be carried out before the expiration of the first contract in 2010-2011.
