Algeria: First Woman Promoted General

ALGIERS- The Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika has promoted a woman, Colonel Fatma-Zohra Aardjoun, to the rank of general, Saturday at the 47th anniversary of independence, announced the Algerian news agency APS.

•     Ms. Aardjoun, head of service at the central hospital of the National Popular Army (ANP), becomes the first woman to reach the rank of general, according to the same source.
  
      During this ceremony, held at the headquarters of the Defence Ministry in Algiers, four generals were promoted to the rank of General Major and 17 colonels to the rank of general.
  
      The head of state is also Minister of National Defence, chief of the armed forces.
      
  Ennaharonline/ M. O.