Bir Lehlu (occupied territories), 05/07/2006 (SPS) The President of the Republic, Mohamed Abdelaziz, addressed on Tuesday a message of congratulations to his Algerian counterpart, Abdelaziz Bouteflika, on the occasion of the 44th anniversary of the independence of Algeria, on July the 5th 1962.

"In this historical day, the Algerian collective memory and all the peoples of the world, we commemorate the historical events of bravery and heroism subscribed by the sacrifices on the altar of freedom and independence by the son of Algeria for the liberty from the colonial yoke (…) a freedom for which "they paid as a tribute one million and half martyrs", Mr. Abdelaziz wrote in his message, of which SPS received a copy.

"Here is Algeria now, under the leadership of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, with all the wisdom of which you are famous, clear-sightedness and loyalty to your country and people, who are opening their way with determined and stable steps for the consecration of a respectable Algeria (…) who is regaining its prestigious place at a regional, African and international levels", he added.

"The Saharawi people, who commemorate with you this glorious anniversary and share with their Algerian brothers the joy of the commemoration of independence, and would like to express you heir thanks for the firm, courageous and historical position of principle in favour of the Saharawi just cause and their inalienable rights to self-determination and independence", the Head of the State underlined. (SPS)

010/090/100 051258 JUL 06 SPS