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Algeria

Abdelmalek Sellal

Minister of Water Resources

Date of Birth: 01/08/1948
Place of Birth: Constantine

Career: Algerian Ambassador, Hungary; Minister for the Interior, -1999; Minister for Youth and Sports, 1999; Minister for Transport; Minister for Water Resources, to date.

Commentary: One of Abdelaziz Bouteflika's inner circle, Abdelmalek Sellal left government, whilst he was transport minister, to run Bouteflika's 2004 campaign. He is tipped as a likely Prime Minister, should Ahmed Ouyahia decide to resign his position in order to run for the presidency. Bouteflika's moves towards a more secular presence in high government since 2007 have kept Sellal's name in the mix; he is a moderniser and close to the army.