Murders continue, notably of seven French priests in May, of GIA leader Abou Abderrahamane Amine, alias Djamel Zitouni, in June, and of French Roman Catholic bishop of Oran, Bishop Pierre Claverie, in August. FIS leader Abassi Madani is released from jail but debarred from active politics. August, hundreds die in a single weekend, the bloodiest yet in six years of civil strife. 1999 Withdrawal of other presidential candidates ensures election of Abdelaziz Bouteflika, foreign minister under Boumedienne. Main Islamist group renounces violence.
Government moves to restore peace.