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| Africa North |
| Top Islamist offers olive branch to Algeria army |
| 2006-11-01 |
| Algeria's powerful army, an unyielding foe of Islamist rebels, has a key role to play in forging peace and democracy after years of strife, a top Islamist opposition politician told Reuters in an interview. The conciliatory remarks by Rabah Kebir are the most positive made by a senior Islamist about the influential military since Algeria descended into violence in 1992 following aborted elections that Kebir's party was poised to win. "The army is a key player during this transitional period," said Kebir, a revolutionary-turned-reformist who has drawn national attention by voicing support for government peace efforts since returning from 14 years in exile in September. "It (the army) is a real guarantee that the political class will reach a stage where it will be able to govern the country in the manner of Western democracies," said Kebir, dressed in a traditional flowing white "kamis" robe as he spoke during a visit to Larbaa town south of Algiers. "The day the parties will govern the country, that day the army will withdraw and play its role as described in the constitution." His unusual praise of the army's role in ensuring security and political stability signals a deepening of his rapprochement with the government, which has sought to welcome Islamists into the political mainstream provided they renounce violence. A slim, tall figure with a close cut beard, Kebir spoke to Reuters after leading evening prayers for about 30 colleagues, among them several founders of the FIS and its armed wing, in the house of an associate in this fruit-farming town. With his return from Germany Kebir, in his late 40s, became the first leader of the banned Islamic Salvation Front (FIS) to end his self-imposed exile since its armed wing began a revolt in 1992. Several other FIS leaders remain overseas. |
| Posted by:Fred |