Algeria raises state of emergency

Algeria (Reuters): Algeria on Thursday lifted a 19-year state of emergency in the assignment of opposition designed to protect against a wave of riots sweeping the Arab world.

End of emergency powers was one of the demands voiced by opposition groups that have been staging weekly protests in the capital, the Algerian who sought to emulate the uprisings in Egypt and in neighboring Tunisia.

However, one of the organizers of the protests, told Reuters this week that the abolition of the state of emergency was not enough, and that the government should allow more democratic freedoms.

In Washington, President Barack Obama welcomed the move, but said that the Algerian government must do more.

"This is a positive sign that the Algerian Government listens to problems and respond to the aspirations of its people, and we look forward to further steps by the Government, which allow the Algerian people to fully exercise their universal rights," Obama said in a statement.

"The United States is committed to continuing our cooperation with the Government of Algeria, as it works to represent and meet the needs of all Algerians," he said.

Order signed by President Abdelaziz Bouteflika lift state of emergency came into effect on Thursday after it was published in the official gazette of the government.

Algeria is the largest energy exporter, pumps gas through pipelines under the Mediterranean to Europe.

A state of emergency was introduced to help authorities fight against Islamist insurgents, but in the last few years violence has weakened and government critics say emergency rules are used to suppress political freedoms.