Pro-Bouteflika Parties Criticized Over Demanding Referendum

Algeria's President Abdelaziz Bouteflika (seated) holds his ballot during the presidential election in Algiers April 17, 2014. REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra
Algeria's President Abdelaziz Bouteflika (seated) holds his ballot during the presidential election in Algiers April 17, 2014. REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra
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Pro-Bouteflika Parties Criticized Over Demanding Referendum

Algeria's President Abdelaziz Bouteflika (seated) holds his ballot during the presidential election in Algiers April 17, 2014. REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra
Algeria's President Abdelaziz Bouteflika (seated) holds his ballot during the presidential election in Algiers April 17, 2014. REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra

The Movement of Society for Peace (MSP) – an opposition party in Algeria, has expressed frustration over pro-former Algerian president Abdelaziz Bouteflika parties calling for a referendum on amending the constitution.

Minister of Communication Ammar Belhimer, for his part, convened with official media to discuss the promotion plan for the constitution draft that will be submitted to a referendum in weeks.

Abdul Razzaq Muqri, the Head of the MSP, criticized Sunday pro-Bouteflika parties expressing support to Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, saying that the quota system in the parliament has disrupted political work.

in addition, he noted that the figures and loyalists of Bouteflika were returning to the political scene in the country.

Muqri was hinting at a meeting that was held by a leader from the Democratic National Alliance and attended by several activists who were urging Bouteflika to run for a fifth candidacy. During the meeting, the constitution bill was discussed in addition to the promotion plan and the mobilization of university students, women, and farmers.

Notably, the Assembly was led by former Prime Minister Ahmed Ouyahia who was sentenced 15 years in prison for corruption. A month ago, Tayeb Zitouni who showed support to Tebboune’s policies became in charge.

In a related context, the Minister of Communication met on Saturday directors of the government newspapers to provide them with a thorough explanation of the key axes of the constitution amendment bill.

Belhimer affirmed that the ministry’s role in publicity was restricted to providing logistics.



No Injuries or Pollution after Explosion at Oil Tanker off Libya

File photo: A large tanker sails past Khasab, on Oman's northern Musandam Peninsula in the Strait of Hormuz, on June 24, 2025.  (Photo by Giuseppe CACACE / AFP)
File photo: A large tanker sails past Khasab, on Oman's northern Musandam Peninsula in the Strait of Hormuz, on June 24, 2025. (Photo by Giuseppe CACACE / AFP)
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No Injuries or Pollution after Explosion at Oil Tanker off Libya

File photo: A large tanker sails past Khasab, on Oman's northern Musandam Peninsula in the Strait of Hormuz, on June 24, 2025.  (Photo by Giuseppe CACACE / AFP)
File photo: A large tanker sails past Khasab, on Oman's northern Musandam Peninsula in the Strait of Hormuz, on June 24, 2025. (Photo by Giuseppe CACACE / AFP)

An oil tanker carrying about 1 million barrels of crude oil suffered an explosion off Libya on June 27 but no injuries or pollution were reported, a spokesperson for the operator TMS Tankers said on Monday.

The Marshall Islands-flagged tanker Vilamoura had left Libya's Zuetina port and was en route to Gibraltar when there was an explosion in the engine room, the operator said.

The vessel is now being towed to Greece where it is expected to arrive by July 2, it added.