Algeria lifts state of emergency

Algeria has lifted a 19-year-old state of emergency as a concession to the opposition groups in the country.

Ending the emergency powers was one of the demands by protestors who have been staging weekly protests in the Algerian capital.

The government hope it will be enough to prevent an uprising like that in neighbouring Tunisia.

An order signed by President Abdelaziz Bouteflika lifting the state of emergency came into force today after it was published in the government's official gazette.