I propose to take Questions Nos. 133 and 134 together.
For the first time in several years, there would appear to be some cause for optimism about the situation in Algeria. After the disappointment and dismay that I and others felt at the manner in which the April presidential election was conducted – six of the seven candidates withdrew just before the election, because of their concerns about the probity of the electoral process – we are at last seeing signs of some positive developments.
The Islamic Salvation Army – AIS – announced on 6 June that its guerrilla attacks against the government had ended. On 9 June, Algeria's outlawed Islamic Salvation Front, FIS, the main opposition group, approved the peace deal between the AIS, which is its armed wing, and the government. The front had, in the light of the recent agreement, already asked President Bouteflika to lift the seven year ban which precludes political activity by its members. President Bouteflika has instructed the Algerian Government to introduce legislation offering an amnesty to the AIS rebels and their supporters. This is likely to be presented to the Algerian parliament later this month.
I welcome these positive steps. I sincerely hope the appalling violence witnessed in Algeria since 1992 – violence which claimed the lives of about 70,000 Algerians – is now at an end. However, I also note the warning by Prime Minister Hamdani that, despite the ceasefire, terrorism remains a problem outside the large towns.