Algeria approves 3 new Islamist parties

ALGIERS — Algeria's Interior Ministry has approved 10 new political parties, including three Islamist ones ahead of elections in May.

Algeria now has 22 legal political parties that can run in elections, including six Islamist ones.

Political expert Rachid Tlemcani said Tuesday he believes the move is intended to fragment the Islamist vote among several parties.

Algerian authorities have said that elections in the North African country won't follow those elsewhere in the region in which Islamist parties triumphed.

Abdallah Djaballah of the newly approved Front for Justice and Development complained that there isn't enough time before May elections for the new parties to get ready.