Algeria Suspends Senior Official in Intelligence Agency ‘Purge’

A general view shows an empty street after a curfew was imposed to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, in Algiers, Algeria March 25, 2020. (Reuters)
A general view shows an empty street after a curfew was imposed to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, in Algiers, Algeria March 25, 2020. (Reuters)
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Algeria Suspends Senior Official in Intelligence Agency ‘Purge’

A general view shows an empty street after a curfew was imposed to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, in Algiers, Algeria March 25, 2020. (Reuters)
A general view shows an empty street after a curfew was imposed to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, in Algiers, Algeria March 25, 2020. (Reuters)

Mohamed Bouzit was appointed on Thursday as chief of the external security directorate, succeeding Kamel-Eddine Remili.

New army chief, Major-General Said Chengriha, oversaw the appointment ceremony.

Bouzit’s appointment came at the order of President Abdelmadjid Tebboune in his role as defense minister and commander of the armed forces, said Chengriha.

Remili had stepped down from his post three days after the dismissal and imprisonment of internal security and head of intelligence chief Wasini Bouazza.

No explanation was given for Remili’s resignation.

Tebboune and Chengriha fired Bouazza a week ago when the presidency appointed General Abdelghani Rachedi as a deputy, granting him “wide powers”.

Bouazza, is on military trial for committing “serious violations" during his eight-month tenure. Dozens of Algerian activists, politicians, and journalists were imprisoned during his term in office.

His dismissal is a sign that the authorities are determined to terminate the legacy of late army chief of staff Lieutenant-General Ahmed Gaid Saleh, who was the de facto leader of the country after president Abdelaziz Bouteflika's resignation in April 2019, political sources told Asharq Al-Awsat on Wednesday.

Saleh passed away suddenly late last year.

Saleh was considered the "godfather" of Bouazza and appointed him as head of Internal Security after restructuring the intelligence service.



US Defers Removal of Some Lebanese, Citing Israel-Hezbollah Tensions

Smoke billows from a site targeted by Lebanon's Hezbollah, along the northern Israeli border with Lebanon on July 25, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (AFP)
Smoke billows from a site targeted by Lebanon's Hezbollah, along the northern Israeli border with Lebanon on July 25, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (AFP)
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US Defers Removal of Some Lebanese, Citing Israel-Hezbollah Tensions

Smoke billows from a site targeted by Lebanon's Hezbollah, along the northern Israeli border with Lebanon on July 25, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (AFP)
Smoke billows from a site targeted by Lebanon's Hezbollah, along the northern Israeli border with Lebanon on July 25, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (AFP)

The United States is deferring the removal of certain Lebanese citizens from the country, President Joe Biden said on Friday, citing humanitarian conditions in southern Lebanon amid tensions between Israel and Hezbollah.

The deferred designation, which lasts 18 months, allows Lebanese citizens to remain in the country with the right to work, according to a memorandum Biden sent to the Department of Homeland Security.

"Humanitarian conditions in southern Lebanon have significantly deteriorated due to tensions between Hezbollah and Israel," Biden said in the memo.

"While I remain focused on de-escalating the situation and improving humanitarian conditions, many civilians remain in danger; therefore, I am directing the deferral of removal of certain Lebanese nationals who are present in the United States."

Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah have been trading fire since Hezbollah announced a "support front" with Palestinians shortly after its ally Hamas attacked southern Israeli border communities on Oct. 7, triggering Israel's military assault in Gaza.

The fighting in Lebanon has killed more than 100 civilians and more than 300 Hezbollah fighters, according to a Reuters tally, and led to levels of destruction in Lebanese border towns and villages not seen since the 2006 Israel-Lebanon war.

On the Israeli side, 10 Israeli civilians, a foreign agricultural worker and 20 Israeli soldiers have been killed. Tens of thousands have been evacuated from both sides of the border.