Algeria is the "natural leader" in the region (U.S. official)

"I would like to join Hillary Clinton in congratulating the people of Algeria on successful legislative elections which allowed it to express its wishes," he said.

Asked whether she agreed with his reading of election results and their comparison with other countries in the region, particularly for the majority parties winners, Mr. Maxwell replied that "the important thing is not in the fact that parties are elected.

The key is rather that the process is free, fair and transparent ". In this sense, he said, "the important thing is that
the Algerian people has had an opportunity to express its opinion."

"As Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said repeatedly the United States is  willing to work with any  government that respects the democratic principles that include both elections that the principles of tolerance, respect for minorities and women and the fundamental rights of freedom of expression ".

Concerning the representation of women within the new National People's Congress (NPC) in which they occupy, now, more than 31% of total seats, Mr. Maxwell said that the U.S. "welcomes this evolution" conducted in Algeria. "It is important not only in Algeria but the entire region, that women play a more active role in government and in civil society, and we see evidence in a number of countries", he argued .

Approaching the relations between Algeria and the United States, Mr. Maxwell said the US-Algerian bilateral relations "have never been stronger," recalling the many high level visits including those made in January to Washington, the Foreign Minister Mourad Medelci in February and to Algiers by the Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Moreover, again found Mr. Maxwell again found U.S. companies "are beginning to see economic opportunities available in Algeria not just the oil companies and gas, but also those of high-tech companies including the pharmaceutical industry,"

He also said that the United States and Algeria have a "strong and growing" military relationship and "are partners in the fight against terrorism for many years." For the same U.S. official, "the Algerian government has played a key role in the Forum's overall fight against terrorism (FGCT), including a recent meeting in Algeria on the hostage against the payment of ransoms, which is a problem on which the two countries share the same view. "

Algeria and the United States have consistently condemned ransom payments that are a source of financing of terrorism,he recalled.

In short, the US  Deputy Under Secretary of State U.S. insisted that "with its geographic size, its wealth and its educated population, Algeria is a natural leader in the region and beyond this region." In this sense, he argued, the United States' hope that  Algeria will continue to play a major role in finding a political solution to the current unrest in Mali. "

Also, Maxwell said , the United States "welcomed the efforts made by Algeria to help Libya and Tunisia, both politically and economically, and to continue to play a major role within the Arab League and the African Union ".