Algeria: the movement repeats its demands and the national dialogue faces complications

Algerians on Friday again called for the exclusion of symbols of the regime of former President Abdelaziz Bouteflika from the administration of the transitional period, while no tangible progress has yet been made towards a national dialogue acceptable to various parties and leading to free elections.

Since the start of the popular movement in late February, thousands have demonstrated in Algiers and other cities including Oran, Mostaganem, Galizan, Constantine, Tizi Ouzou, Bouira and Taraf.

In the capital, protesters gathered at the same protest sites amid a large security deployment, criticizing security restrictions, and demanding the authorities not to infringe on freedoms by encircling the marches and streets with large crowds of security.

The French Press Agency reported the arrest of 10 people near the central post office, while a news website said that among the detainees is a member of a youth association called Jalal Mqrany.

In Algeria and other cities, the protesters held up the slogans they had previously issued. The most prominent of these was the demand for the departure of those who described them as symbols of the Bouteflika regime, in particular interim President Abdelkader Ben Saleh and Prime Minister Noureddine Badawi, a demand rejected by Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Ahmed Kayed Saleh.

During the marches, slogans were also made to emphasize a civil state that respects the law, calls for the application of articles 7 and 8 of the Constitution on the sovereignty of the people and rejects the dialogue proposed by the interim president.

"The presence of large numbers of security forces in the streets may increase the doubts about the Authority's desire for change," said journalist and activist Mohammed Alal of the island. At the same time, the demonstrators were in the capital in large numbers, defying the heat and heavy security.

National Dialogue
Today's demonstrations come at a time when the difficulties are facing a body formed by the presidency to coordinate the expected national dialogue, with the opposition of some factions of the popular movement on its composition and questioning its independence from power.

The commission was formed a week ago, consisting of six members and led by former parliament speaker Karim Yunis, and invited 21 people to join it, but many of them refused to invite it, putting the national dialogue in the face of additional complications.

In order to facilitate its work, the Commission requested the authorities to implement measures to calm the situation in order to create a suitable atmosphere for national dialogue through the release of prisoners of the popular movement and the easing of security measures that surround the demonstrations.

However, in a speech last Tuesday, the Chief of Staff rejected those demands as preconditions for national dialogue and dictates that the Authority could not accept.

In the face of this situation, two members of the body, Ezzedine Ben Issa and Ismail Lalmas, resigned, while its chairman Yunus reportedly submitted his resignation, but the panel rejected it.

Despite these resignations and skepticism, the National Dialogue Coordination Body announced yesterday that it would immediately begin its work.