Algeria’s Largest Opposition Party Runs for Early Parliamentary Elections

An electoral commission worker gives out a ballot paper to a voter in the presidential elections at a polling station in Algiers (AFP)
An electoral commission worker gives out a ballot paper to a voter in the presidential elections at a polling station in Algiers (AFP)
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Algeria’s Largest Opposition Party Runs for Early Parliamentary Elections

An electoral commission worker gives out a ballot paper to a voter in the presidential elections at a polling station in Algiers (AFP)
An electoral commission worker gives out a ballot paper to a voter in the presidential elections at a polling station in Algiers (AFP)

The largest Islamic opposition party in Algeria will be running for the early parliamentary elections, the date of which is yet to be announced.

Head of the Islamist Movement of Society for Peace, Abdul Razzaq Muqri, accused the extremist secular current of leading a conspiracy plan, saying it does not want elections because it has no chances to win.

Muqri criticized the secular parties in a press conference in Algiers without mentioning them, stating that the parties in question want to impose a transitional stage because they have influence within state institutions and foreign media.

Observers believe he was referring to the Labor Party and the Rally for Culture and Democracy after they expressed reservations about the meetings between Muqri, parties' leaders, and the president which resulted in the dissolution of the parliament and preparations for early legislative elections.

The parties believe the elections that brought Tebboune as president are “not legitimate” and further deepened the "legitimacy crisis".

They also believe that a two-year transitional phase can solve the ruling crisis, given that it is led by a group of figures known for their integrity. The figures will be tasked with organizing the presidential elections which will lead to a national unity government, provided that the army is not involved.

The authority rejected this proposition, indicating that it serves foreign agendas. It also accuses national parties of seeking to put Algeria on the path of chaos, as the case in Syria and Libya.



White House Urges Hamas to Sign on to New Deal to Ensure Hostage Release

Palestinian boys examine a car targeted in an Israeli army strike that killed several of its occupants in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)
Palestinian boys examine a car targeted in an Israeli army strike that killed several of its occupants in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)
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White House Urges Hamas to Sign on to New Deal to Ensure Hostage Release

Palestinian boys examine a car targeted in an Israeli army strike that killed several of its occupants in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)
Palestinian boys examine a car targeted in an Israeli army strike that killed several of its occupants in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)

The Biden administration is urging Hamas to sign on to a new ceasefire deal that would ensure the release of hostages, White House National Security spokesperson John Kirby told reporters on Friday.

Kirby said the White House welcomed Israel's decision to send another team to Doha to continue negotiations.

The United States, Egypt and Qatar have been trying to mediate a deal for a ceasefire and hostage release for a year with no success and are making another push this month before Donald Trump's inauguration.
Ceasefire efforts have continually stumbled on a fundamental disagreement over how to end the conflict. Hamas says it will accept an agreement and release the hostages only if Israel commits to ending the war. Israel says it will agree to stop fighting only once Hamas is destroyed.

On Friday, Hamas said it wanted "a complete ceasefire, the withdrawal of occupation forces from the Gaza Strip" and the return of displaced people to their homes in all areas of the enclave.

US President Joe Biden has repeatedly called for a ceasefire agreement. Trump has said that if there is not a deal to release the hostages before his inauguration, "all hell is going to break out.”