Bouteflika: Illegal arms, drug trafficking at ‘dangerous levels’

Arms dealing and drug trafficking have reached “dangerous levels” in the region, Algerian news sites reported President Abdelaziz Bouteflika saying yesterday.

In a message delivered to mark the 62 years since the country’s War of Independence, the president stressed the importance to maintaining peace in the country.

Algerian newspaper Annahar reported the president also saying in his message that “fighting terror needs citizens to remain alert in addition to the efforts being exerted by the army and the security institutions in the country.”

He also recalled that the country is exerting efforts to achieve economic and social development through its use of its oil income to build schools, universities, hospitals and houses.

Bouteflika added that Algeria is implementing a new strategy to overcome the effects of the reduction in international oil prices.