2009 in Algeria - August

August

• August 5: More than ten Chinese were injured in a confrontation between Chinese businessmen and Algerians in Algiers. It was not reported the extent of the injuries but it was mentioned that some Chinese citizens might leave Algeria.

• August 5: France denied that its consulate in Algeria was involved in spying activities in the North African nation.

• August 13: Three suspected militants have been killed by the Algerian army in the Bordj Bou Arreridj region, approximately 200 kilometers southeast of Algiers. The men traveled in three cars and were surprised by troops who were acting on a tip-off. Army members recovered homemade bombs and weapons. The area is a transit passage for terrorists associated with al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb.

• August 14: The Algerian football team defeated Uruguay 2 - 1 in a friendly match at the 5 July Stadium in Algiers. The team is preparing for a 2010 World Cup qualification game versus Zambia in September.

• August 15: 17 people were killed in a head on collision near Ghazaouet, when a lorry and a minibus collided. More than a dozen members of the same family were traveling together and died.

• August 16: A survey revealed that there are 1,169,000 unemployed persons in Algeria. The study by the Office of National Statistics discloses that 87% of unemployed Algerians are willing to accept work positions below their levels of education.

• August 20: The potential for terrorist attacks threatens the construction of a 2,500 mile Trans-Sahara gas pipeline projected to run from Nigeria through Niger, to Algeria. The region is perilous because of the prospect of attacks by al Qaeda forces. The pipeline will cost in the neighborhood of $13 billion and feed natural gas to Europe.

• August 28: President Bouteflika has called for Algeria to expand its defense industry. His mandate will, if successful, enable the country to become self-sufficient in a number of areas of military production.

• August 29: Five people were killed in two separate attacks in eastern and western Algeria. Two members of the Algerian military died in a car bomb attack while two more armed soldiers were murdered in Jijel Province. Three soldiers were wounded in this ambush by Islamic radicals against the Algerian army. Bouteflika continued to pledge amnesty to repentant terrorists.