Algeria's newly appointed Prime Minister Ali Benflis has formed a government, retaining almost all the ministers who held portfolios under his predecessor Ahmed Benbitour who quit earlier Saturday, state television said.
Benflis appointed as foreign minister Abdelaziz Belkhadem, the former parliamentary speaker who is widely seen as an Islamic conservative opposed to any normalization of ties with Israel, the television said.
Benbitour handed in the resignation of his government earlier in the day, citing differences within his cabinet and with President Abdelaziz Bouteflika.
He was immediately replaced by Benflis, Bouteflika's chief of staff, the president's office said -- ALGIERS (AFP)
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