Sellal receives delegation from province, several decisions taken

Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal received Thursday in Algiers a delegation of citizens representing Maliki and Ibadi communities in Ghardaia (600-km southeast of Algiers) in order to put an end to the tensions witnessed in the province in recent weeks, a close source to government said.The delegation was composed of 24 people representing both Maliki and Ibadi communities (12 people from each community).Many decisions have been taken to facilitate the return to normal situation in Ghardaia, including creation of a council of elders in municipalities affected by these events likely to constitute "a space of arbitration and conciliation" on basis of the ancestral "harmonious and peaceful coexistence" prevailing in this province.For their part, the two communities’ representatives committed to "sparing no effort" to help overcome divisions and restore "the strong fraternal relations" prevailing for generations in this province.Besides, they expressed their grievances to the Primer and informed him about "excess witnessed" during clashes in recent weeks.The two parties also agreed to proceed to a "fair and balanced" distribution of 30,000 plots of land for self-build, through all the municipalities of the province.Moreover, the government has instructed the Ministry of National Solidarity to examine the various aids to provide to the victims of last events in Ghardaïa, including those whose houses were affected.On this occasion, the Prime Minister invited the representatives of the province "to look towards the future and forget the past," calling on all forces "to work for the restoration of security and serenity" in Ghardaia’s municipalities