Algerian president approves 36-member government

Algerian President Abdulaziz Bouteflika has issued a presidential decision to approve the cabinet of new prime minister Abdulmalek Sellal . Bouteflika approved last night the 36-member cabinet, consisting of seven political parties. Bouteflika appointed Minister of Water Resources, Abdelmalek Sellal, as new prime minister in replacement of Ahmed Ouyahia. The prime minister kept 17 former ministers, including defense, interior, foreign affairs and energy. Bouteflika dismissed Ahmad Oyahya as prime minister yesterday. The new government will be responsible for overseeing municipal and states' elections which are due on November 29 this year. The next cabinet will also manage consultations regarding constitutional amendments. At the end of the handover ceremony with former PrimeMinister Ahmed Ouyahia, Sellal told reporters that "there's a roadmap in terms to continue tasks of development and reforms in Algeria, including the forthcoming local elections and the revision of the Constitution." "Hard work awaits us, our main goal is to continue the implementation of the program of president," the APS news agency quoted Sellal as saying. The new prime minister further stressed that national economy should "be given a new life," given that Algeria enjoys important means to deal with challenges imposed by international economic  transition.