Algiers  - Algerian Presidnet Abdelaziz Bouteflika has set a date of April 9 for presidential elections, and has invited several international groups to send observers, Algiers said Saturday.

A presidential palace statement said Bouteflika had named former justice minister Mohamed Teguia to head the election commission for the voting.

He also invited the Organisation of Islamic Conference, the Arab League and the African Union to send observers to monitor the elections, the statment said.

Algiers/Paris  - The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) must decide on a "drastic" cut of oil production during its next meeting, OPEC president Chakib Khelil, told Algerian radio on Thursday.

The next meeting is scheduled for December 17 in Oran.

"The Oran meeting must decide on a drastic (production) cut to establish an equilibrium between supply and demand," Khelil said during an interview on Radio Algerienne. Khelil is also Algeria's energy minister.

Algiers, Paris - As expected, lawmakers in both houses of the Algerian parliament on Wednesday voted by an overwhelming majority in favour of a constitutional amendment allowing President Abdelaziz Bouteflika to serve a third term.

A total of 520 deputies voted yes on the five amendments presented - which would also severely limit the powers of the prime minister - while 21 voted against the measures and 8 abstained.

To be passed, the project had to receive the support of at least three quarters of the lawmakers sitting in both houses of the parliament.

As a result of the vote, the 71-year-old Bouteflika could take up his third five-year term in the spring of 2009, if his health allows him to stand again.

Algiers, Paris - Both houses of the Algerian parliament convened on Wednesday to vote on a constitutional amendment allowing President Abdelaziz Bouteflika to serve a third term.

The five amendments up for vote - which would also severely limit the powers of the prime minister - must receive the support of at least three quarters of the 525 lawmakers sitting in both houses of the parliament.

Dubai, Algiers, 11th Nov. 2008 : Global marine terminal operator DP World and the Algerian government signed on Monday agreements that see DP World taking over the operation of the ports of Algiers and Djen-Djen.

Dubai, Algiers, 11th Nov. 2008 : Global marine terminal operator DP World and the Algerian government signed on Monday agreements that see DP World taking over the operation of the ports of Algiers and Djen-Djen.