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Algerian Berbers win local elections
ALGIERS â Opposition parties have kept control of Algeriaâs restive Berber Kabylie region following local elections aimed at boosting national reconciliation after years of unrest, results showed yesterday.The elections were called in June by President Abdelaziz Bouteflika who, as part of a peace plan with the leaders of the ethnic minority, dissolved local councils set up in 2002 in the Berber heartland, east of Algiers. Local elections in 2002 were largely boycotted by the Berbers over a long-running standoff with the government. Kabylie-based groups the Socialist Forces Front (FFS) and its rival Rally for Culture and Democracy (RCD), placed first and second in the vote, are known for dominating the Tizi Ouzou, Bejaia and Bouira provinces, which make up Kabylie. Posted by: Steve White 2005-11-26 |
| http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=135933 |