ALGIERS, May 31 (NNN-XINHUA) — Algerian Mrmy’s Chief of Staff Ahmed Gaid Salah called for holding serious and constructive dialogue as the only option to resolve the political crisis in the country.
“The priority today is for each of us to believe in the importance of moving towards a constructive dialogue that allows us to move our country out of this relatively complex phase, and paving the way to forthcoming elections as soon as possible,” Salah said in a speech to troops in the 6th military region of the southernmost province of Tamanrasset.
He said the country should avoid a period of transition due to its uncertain consequences, “because Algeria cannot bear further delay and procrastination.”
“The only way to resolve the crisis facing our country is to adopt the path of serious, rational, constructive and clear-sighted dialogue, which places Algeria above all consideration,” he argued.
He noted that Algerian people do not want to repeat the previous bitter experiences they suffered in the 1990’s, referring to the violence that followed the interruption of the Jan. 1992 electoral process which the Islamist party of FIS was poised to win.
Salah suggested that the desired dialogue should gather the people and elites who are faithful to the nation and its supreme sacred interest, and lead “to consensus and compromise over the imperative to organize presidential election, as soon as possible.”
He also reiterated that he had no political ambition, saying his major aspiration “is to serve my country and its army, in accordance with my constitutional duty.”
Algeria has been hit by continuing popular protests since Feb. 22, demanding for radical changes.
On April 2, President Abdelaziz Bouteflika was forced to resign and cancel the presidential election scheduled initially for April 18.
The head of the upper house of the parliament, Abdelkader Bensalah, was then named interim president for 90 days.
Bensalah has announced to hold the presidential election on July 4, but it could be postponed due to lack of serious candidates. — NNN-XINHUA
