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Algerian new PM sets reform as top priority of his cabinet

05 September 2012 00:47 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. The newly appointed Algerian Prime Minister, Abdelmalek Sellal, said Tuesday that the priority of his new cabinet is to continue the implementation of reforms launched by President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, APA reports quoting Xinhua.

At the end of the handover ceremony with former Prime Minister 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.

On Monday, Bouteflika appointed Minister of Water Resources, Abdelmalek Sellal, as new prime minister in replacement of Ahmed Ouyahia.

Born on Aug. 1, 1948, Sellal served as the minister of interior, the minister of youth and sports, the minister of transportation and finally the minister of water resources before being nominated as the new prime minister.

Known as "Bouteflika’s right hand man," Sellal was in charge of running Bouteflika’s 2004 and 2009 presidential election campaign.