Salal consults factions on constitution redraft

The Algerian government embarked on preliminary consultation process in preparation for a comprehensive review and amendment to the Constitution before the end of June 2013. On Saturday the Algerian Prime Minister Abdul-Malik Salal met with Abou Jarra Soltani, head of the Movement for the Society of Peace, Ali Al-Askari, Secretary-General for the Socialist Forces Front and Louisa Hanoune, president of the Workers' Party. The prime minister listened to the representative’s different points of view relating to the draft of the new constitution and discussed the most prominent articles. In the coming weeks, the prime minister will continue the consultations with leaders of various political groups represented in parliament. President Abdelaziz Bouteflika has promised to make radical and comprehensive amendments to the constitution in the first half of the next year in light of political reforms initiated in April. He promised to introduce the draft of the new constitution to parliament and put to it to a popular referendum before the end of June 2013.