Algerian voters approve peace plan

Algerians overwhelmingly approved a peace plan that provides a broad amnesty for Islamic extremists, but which critics denounced as a whitewash of past crimes, official referendum results showed today.

Interior Minister Noureddine Yazid Zerhouni said the Charter for Peace and National Reconciliation received more than 97% of yesterday’s vote – a big win that could further strengthen President Abdelaziz Bouteflika.