Algerian parliament rejects ban on alcohol

The Algerian parliament refused by a great majority a proposal submitted by the Islamic parties provided for banning breweries in the country.

The Islamists had proposed an amendment for banning imports of alcohol beverages, and prohibiting sale of alcohol and closing its factories and converting these to mineral water factories. This was during the vote for the draft budget for 2006.

In his comment on the results of the vote, the chairman of the legal committee at the parliament Abdul Qader Boshorabi said that the proposals submitted by the Islamists are in contradiction with the free trade principle and Algeria's international obligations.

Algeria which has a $ 90 billion economy needs to open its economy to foreign markets, and needs negotiations to join the World trade Organization expected to be completed by the end of 2006.

Algeria has also finalized a trade agreement with the European Union. A matter which allows lifting costumes tariffs gradually.

News Agencies