Algeria’s long-awaited and divisive new hydrocarbons law overcame another hurdle on 14 November as it was approved by the protest-hit country’s lower house of parliament. The bill still needs the approval of the upper house to become law.

The bill’s opponents say the law hands too many concessions to international energy companies and that the interim government lacks the legitimacy to pass the law. Deeply nationalist Algerians are sensitive to the thought of foreigners taking over their natural resources. (CONTINUED - 357 WORDS)