Free Republic

ALGIERS (AFP) - Algerians began voting in an optimistic atmosphere in what many see as a genuine -- and unprecedented -- democratic election pitting President Abdelaziz Bouteflika against his former right-hand man, Ali Benflis, and four other rivals. "If it goes well we can say democracy has taken off in Algeria," said 65-year-old Omar Belhousse after casting his ballot in Algiers. Ticking off a list of firsts for the north African country, he said: "It's the first time we've had the freedom to express our will, it's the first time the opposition is really expressing itself. It's the first time...