Tebboune Vows Better Living Conditions for Algerians

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune (AFP)
Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune (AFP)
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Tebboune Vows Better Living Conditions for Algerians

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune (AFP)
Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune (AFP)

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune pledged on Thursday to enhance the country’s returns and improve the living conditions of Algerians, indicating a 47 percent increase in salaries early next year, the German News Agency said.

He said that 2023 will see "better achievements and the improvement of living conditions.” His remarks came during the opening of the 5th province governors' meeting in Algiers.

Tebboune said his country’s economic growth is projected to reach 5 percent in 2023 after it amounted to 4.1 percent in 2022.

He also revealed that the current foreign exchange reserves had increased to over $60 billion, while the import bill has decreased to $36 billion after it reached an annual average of $63 billion in the past years.

“The economy is now based on production, not on imports. Algeria is witnessing a clear social and economic dynamics,” Tebboune affirmed, noting that 2023 is "the year of efficiency, raising the standard of living, increasing the purchasing power of the citizen, and of reducing inflation.”

He also said that the State is trying to fight corruption and protect citizens from the consequences of global economic fluctuations.

He indicated that several decisions taken by local governors helped build between 600 and 700 micro, small, medium and large economic units, and create 52,000 jobs at a time when the world is witnessing an economic downturn.

He also revealed that an Algerian factory will be launched this year to produce sugar which will be sold directly to consumers, in addition to the production of olive oil.

The President then called on Algerians saving money outside banks to deposit them back in the country’s banks. He pledged a thousand guarantees to protect citizens and the national economy, saying there are banks that deal in Islamic banking.

Addressing the file of recovering the looted funds, the President said Algerians followed the scary numbers of looted money, and that huge amounts of funds were found with one single family.

The President added, “We insist on fighting corruption and corruptors, Algeria will remain a state of justice and law,” stressing that the country “will not collapse despite enemy plots."



Netanyahu Offers Hamas Leaders Gaza Exit but Demands Group Disarm

A general view shows tents housing displaced Palestinians during Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, in Gaza City on March 30, 2025. (Photo by Omar AL-QATTAA / AFP)
A general view shows tents housing displaced Palestinians during Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, in Gaza City on March 30, 2025. (Photo by Omar AL-QATTAA / AFP)
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Netanyahu Offers Hamas Leaders Gaza Exit but Demands Group Disarm

A general view shows tents housing displaced Palestinians during Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, in Gaza City on March 30, 2025. (Photo by Omar AL-QATTAA / AFP)
A general view shows tents housing displaced Palestinians during Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, in Gaza City on March 30, 2025. (Photo by Omar AL-QATTAA / AFP)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday offered to let Hamas leaders leave Gaza but demanded the group abandon its arms, as his country kept up its bombardment of the Palestinian territory.

Gaza's civil defense agency said an Israeli air strike on a house and tent sheltering displaced Palestinians killed at least eight people, including five children.

The strike in Khan Yunis came in the morning on the first day of Eid al-Fitr, the festival marking the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.

Israel resumed intense bombing of the Palestinian territory on March 18 and then launched a new ground offensive, ending a nearly two-month ceasefire in the war with Hamas.

Netanyahu rejected criticism that his government was not engaging in negotiations aimed at releasing hostages held in Gaza, insisting the renewed military pressure on Hamas was proving effective.

"We are negotiating under fire... We can see cracks beginning to appear" in Hamas's positions, the Israeli leader told a cabinet meeting.

In the "final stage", Netanyahu said that "Hamas will lay down its weapons. Its leaders will be allowed to leave".

"The military pressure is working," Reuters quoted him as saying.

"The combination of military pressure and diplomatic pressure is the only thing that has brought the hostages back."

Hamas has expressed a willingness to relinquish Gaza's administration, but has warned its weapons are a "red line".

Egypt, Qatar and the United States are attempting to again broker a ceasefire and secure the release of Israeli hostages still held in Gaza.

A senior Hamas official stated on Saturday that the group had approved a new ceasefire proposal put forward by mediators and urged Israel to support it.

Netanyahu's office confirmed receipt of the proposal and stated that Israel had submitted a counterproposal in response.

However, the details of the latest mediation efforts remain undisclosed.