Gendarmerie Nationale

The Gendarmerie Nationale, is the national rural police force of Algeria. As part of the Algerian Armed Forces is commanded by a major general who reports directly to the Minister of National Defense. In 2007 the gendarmerie consists of 60,000. Although generally regarded as a versatile and competent paramilitary force, the gendarmerie has been severely tested in dealing with civil disorder since 1988. It frequently has lacked sufficient manpower at the scene of disorder and its units have been inadequately trained and equipped for riot control. The gendarmerie, however, has demonstrated the ability to root out terrorist groups operating from mountain hideouts.The current commander is General Ghali Belkcir, succeeding Major-General Menad Nouba who himself had succeeded Major-General Ahmed Boustila.