Abdelhak Layada, one of the founding leaders of Algeria's Islamic Armed Group (GIA), was released from prison on Monday. Also known as Abu Adlane, he signaled his readiness to act as a mediator between the government and armed Islamic militants hiding in the mountains to convince them to join the reconciliation project. Algerians overwhelmingly voted last year to support President Bouteflika's Charter for National Reconciliation which would see more than 2000 people freed and a pardon extended to militants on the run if they surrender during the next six months, as long they are not responsible for massacres, rapes or bombings of public places. The amnesty is the second since Bouteflika took office seven years ago. He says it will help heal Algeria 's wounds after years of a brutal and bloody conflict. Layada was sentenced to death in connection with his role in the civil war, in which more than 150,000 people died. He was arrested in Morocco in 1993.
| He's looking pretty hale, for being dead. |