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Algeria's long-awaited metro system opens in Algiers Algeria's long-awaited metro system opens in Algiers
(about 11 hours later)
By Chloe Arnold BBC News, Algiers The first passengers are travelling on the long-awaited metro in Algeria's capital, Algiers - only the second of its kind in Africa.
Africa's second metro system has opened - in the Algerian capital, Algiers. President Abdelaziz Bouteflika opened the metro on Monday, at a ceremony attended by hundreds of residents keen to try out the new transport system.
Construction began 28 years ago, but was halted - firstly because of an oil crisis in the 1980s and later during a decade of civil unrest. Construction began 28 years ago, but was halted because of an economic crisis and a decade-long civil war.
The metro was opened by President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, at a ceremony attended by hundreds of residents keen to try out the new transport system. The 6.5km (4 miles) of track has 10 stops.
The 6.5km (4 miles) of track has 10 stops, and connects Algiers' Central Post Office to the suburb of Kouba. It connects Algiers' Central Post Office to the suburb of Kouba.
Work began on the project back in the early 1980s, but was interrupted when a collapse in worldwide oil and gas prices sent Algeria's economy into free fall. Work began on the project in the early 1980s, but was interrupted when a collapse in worldwide oil and gas prices sent Algeria's economy into freefall.
The country is the world's fourth largest exporter of natural gas.The country is the world's fourth largest exporter of natural gas.
In the 1990s, the country descended into violence, in which government forces fought an Islamist insurgency. As many as quarter of a million people lost their lives.In the 1990s, the country descended into violence, in which government forces fought an Islamist insurgency. As many as quarter of a million people lost their lives.
The metro cost an estimated 90bn dinars ($1.2bn) to build. The metro cost an estimated 90bn dinars ($1.2bn; £750m) to build.
A single journey will cost 50 dinars ($0.67; 0.50 euros) - a price many Algerians have complained is too high. A single journey will cost 50 dinars ($0.67; £0.47) - a price many Algerians have complained is too high.
The only other underground metro rail network in Africa is in the Egyptian capital, Cairo.