Algerian Government Lifts State of Emergency

The Algerian government's official lifting of a long-standing state of emergency Feb. 24 is a concession to the demands of opposition protesters aimed at containing the unrest that began in mid-January. Opposition forces in the country have thus far been largely fractured and have failed to gain widespread popularity, a product of a mix of cautious concessions from President Abdel Aziz Bouteflika's government and a strong security presence to contain demonstrations. Underlying this is a move by the Bouteflika government to transfer counterterrorism and counter-subversion authority from the Military Directorate of Intelligence and Security, run by a Bouteflika rival, to the loyal National People's Army. This assertive move likely reflects the president's growing confidence that the situation is in hand and may indicate that his faction is prevailing.