Algeria will boost its police force by 30 percent to 180,000 members and install surveillance cameras in main cities to ensure security amid a war against Islamist rebels, local media said on Wednesday. "It's part of a government plan to cover the entire national territory ... and ensure security," Police Chief Ali Tounsi was quoted as telling reporters by government daily El Moudjahid. "The war on terrorism has been almost won but Algerians, particularly in big cities, keep complaining of insecurity," an Algiers-based senior police officer said. "The number of policemen has been insufficient for a country with 32 million people," he said.
Recent attacks in the capital, including a car bombing of a key power plant in June, and the infiltration of militants, have rattled authorities. In coming months 160 surveillance cameras will be installed in Algiers and more will be set up on other major cities, Tounsi said. |