Algeria ends 19-year-old state of emergency

BBC News, 24 February 2011

The president of Algeria has lifted a 19-year-old state of emergency, a key demand of anti-government protesters.

A statement was published in the country's official gazette bringing the emergency to an official end, days after the move was announced.

The military will now only have limited powers to get involved with domestic security issues.

Algeria - like other countries in the region - has recently witnessed demonstrations for greater freedoms.