Algeria to lift 19-yr emergency soon

Algerian president Abdelaziz Bouteflika said the country's 19-year state of emergency would be lifted "in the very near future".

The state of emergency was installed solely in response "to the fight against terrorism" and was the only reason it could be upheld legally, he said. His announcement came amid mounting calls by members of civil society and opposition to lift the state of emergency.

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