Algeria releases FIS leaders

The Algerian government yesterday freed two jailed leaders of the banned Islamic Salvation Front, an apparent gesture to get members of the underground organisation to take part in reconciliation talks, AP reports from Algiers. Ali Djeddi and Abdelkader Boukhamkham were senior officials in the FIS, that was on its way to winning control of the National Assembly two years ago. They were freed from a military prison in Blida, 50km (30 miles) south of Algiers, hours after a speech by President Liamine Zeroual in which he sought political dialogue 'with the exclusion of none'.