ALGERIA, January 23, 2007, (WAFA)-President of Algeria, Abdul Aziz Blouselike said that durable and just peace could not be achieved unless the independent Palestinian state, with Jerusalem as its capital is achieved.

In a speech during hosting the visiting Portuguese PM, Mr. José Socrates to Algeria, Mr. Bouteflika voiced concern over security and political deterioration in Palestine and Iraq.

He stated that to achieve lasting peace, there should be a complete Israeli withdrawal from all Arab territory occupied in 1967.

M.H.(9:55 P) (07:55 GMT)