Algeria|Background

Background: After a century of rule by France, Algeria became independent in 1962. The surprising first round success of the

fundamentalist FIS (Islamic Salvation Front) party in December 1991 balloting caused the army to intervene, crack down on the FIS,

and postpone the subsequent elections. The FIS response has resulted in a continuous low-grade civil conflict with the secular state

apparatus, which nonetheless has allowed elections featuring pro-government and moderate religious-based parties. FIS's armed

wing, the Islamic Salvation Army, dissolved itself in January 2000 and many armed insurgents surrendered under an amnesty

program designed to promote national reconciliation. Nevertheless, some residual fighting continues. Other concerns include

large-scale unemployment and the need to diversify the petroleum-based economy.