APS : Thursday, 12 April 2018
ALGIERS- The ministry of Foreign Affairs gave instructions to all Algerian diplomatic and consular representations abroad to lower the flag to half-mast and open the book of condolence,
in line with the decision of President of the Republic Abdelaziz Bouteflika to decree a three-day national mourning following the military plane crash in Boufarik, Blida, the ministry said in a statement.
“Pursuant to the decision of His Excellency, President of the Republic to decree a national mourning of three days following the crash of a military plane, the ministry of Foreign Affairs gave instructions to all Algerian diplomatic and consular missions abroad to lower the flag to half-mast and open the book of condolences,” the statement said.
The national flag was also flown at half-mast and a minute’s silence was observed at the headquarters of the ministry, in a ceremony to pay tribute to the memory of the martyrs of national duty, the victims of the tragic plane accident.”
Foreign Minister Abdelkader Messahel had received Wednesday phone calls from his French, Tunisian, Egyptian, Kenyan and Yemenite counterparts who offered their condolences over the plane crash.
The military aircraft crash led to the death 257 people, including ten crew members.
