Algeria’s government ready for dialogue with opposition

ALGIERS - Algeria’s government is ready for dialogue with the opposition, its Deputy Prime Minister said yesterday, after President Abdelaziz Bouteflika reversed a decision to seek a fifth term in the face of mass protests.

“Dialogue is our duty. Our top priority is to bring together all Algerians,” Ramtane Lamamra told state radio while Armed Forces Chief of Staff and deputy defence minister Ahmed Gaed Salah told Ennahar TV the army would preserve Algeria’s security “in all circumstances and conditions.”