Front de Libération National

Front de Libération National (FLN) An Algerian radical Muslim independence movement founded by Ben Bella in 1952. Despite fundamental differences of opinion between its military, political, and religious wings, the movement remained united during the Algerian War of Independence and became the only political party after Algerian independence until 1989. Faced by the subsequent growth of the fundamentalist Islamic Salvation Front (Front Islamique du Salut, FIS), its role was secured through the declaration of a state of emergency in 1992, as a result of which the FLN became dominated by the military. In 1999, it was led by Abdelaziz Bouteflika, who pursued a policy of reconciliation and economic growth with remarkable success.