Algeria Picks Ex-Envoy to Replace Slain Head of State

The Algerian military regime Thursday named a 64-year-old diplomat and leader of a war veterans’ association as the new head of state to replace Mohammed Boudiaf, who was assassinated four days ago, apparently by an officer assigned to the presidential security guard.

Informed political sources said the new Algerian leader, Ali Kafi, a relatively minor political figure who formerly served as ambassador to Egypt and Tunisia, probably will play a transitional role as the president of the ruling five-man Council of State.

The choice allows the embattled Algerian regime breathing room before it decides how to approach an increasingly violent conflict between secular political institutions and a growing Islamic fundamentalist movement.

During the past five months here, more than 100 policemen have been killed by drive-by terrorist attackers believed to be linked with the Islamic Salvation Front movement, generally known by its French acronym, FIS. The attacks followed the arrests and detention of more than 9,000 Islamic Front militants, at least 4,000 of whom remain imprisoned in desert concentration camps.

The seven principal FIS leaders face the death penalty before a military tribunal later this month on charges of “armed conspiracy against the state.” The religiously charged political atmosphere was exacerbated this week when government sources said Boudiaf’s assassination was carried out by a 26-year-old special forces military officer with “deep religious convictions” who was assigned recently to the presidential guard.

According to a reliable source close to the country’s military leadership, investigators so far have found no direct connection between the officer and the outlawed Islamic Salvation Front. However, the fact that the accused assassin is a member of an elite military unit deeply embarrassed the country’s powerful military Establishment and delayed the government’s efforts to find a replacement for Boudiaf.

Inside the military, frustrated by the civilian regime’s inability to stem the tide of fundamentalism, some factions reportedly argued this week for taking direct control of the government. They interpreted anti-government slogans shouted by the crowd during the funeral procession for Boudiaf as a public appeal for order.

Kafi, the new leader, is considered a pro-military personality close to both Defense Minister Khaled Nezzar and Prime Minister Sid Ahmed Ghozali.