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Tuesday, April 13, 2010    

Algeria's new security chief to tackle corruption blamed for predecessor's demise

CAIRO — Algeria has been preparing to name a security chief.

Officials said President Abdul Aziz Bouteflika was considering a list of finalists for the post of Algerian security chief. The selected candidate was meant to succeed Col. Ali Tounisi, killed by a senior officer in February 2010.

"A selection is expected over the next few days," an official said.


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The frontrunner was identified as Brig. Gen. Afani Abdul Aziz, a senior officer in the Algerian Army. The 55-year-old Abdul Aziz has been endorsed by several ministers in Bouteflika's government, Middle East Newsline reported.

Tounisi had been regarded as a reformer who helped expand Algeria's police and security forces. His plan stipulated the expansion of the police to 200,000 over the next five years in an effort to quell the Al Qaida insurgency, organized crime and civil unrest.

Officials said the next security chief was expected to modify Tounisi's anti-corruption campaign. Over the last few months, several senior officials have come under investigation on charges of bribery and embezzlement. Tounisi, himself, was killed by an officer accused of embezzlement.

Abdul Aziz has been discussing his candidacy with Algerian Interior Minister Nour Eddin Yazid Zerhouni. The brigadier was identified as a 28-year veteran, 20 of them as a commander. This included a stint as head of the judicial police in Algiers and responsible for counter-insurgency missions around the North African country.

"He is an extremely experienced professional and would carry out much of Tounisi's policies," the official said.



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