Algeria's 19-year emergency lifted

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates -- In a major concession to Algeria's opposition groups, the government on Tuesday adopted a measure that would lift a 19-year state of emergency that has constrained civil liberties and human rights in the North African oil exporter. A draft law approved by the Cabinet would repeal the emergency law as soon as it is published in the government's official journal, the official Algerie Presse Service reported. An opposition leader last week said he had been assured that the state of emergency would be lifted by the end of February. The emergency measures, long lambasted by...