Members of the Algerian community, joined by diplomats and local officials and businessmen, celebrated the 57th anniversary of the outbreak of the Algerian liberation struggle, at a recent reception hosted by Algerian Consul General Salah Attia in Jeddah. It was on Nov. 1, 1954, that Algerian people sacrificed 1.5 million of them as martyrs to free the country from colonial rule, the consul general said in his welcome speech. Salem Bashehab, director of consular affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs\' Makkah province office, was the chief guest.Paying homage to his country\'s martyrs, Attia said: \"Our martyrs sacrificed their precious lives for the liberation of our country.\" He also referred to the great solidarity of the Saudi people with the Algerian liberation struggle. He highlighted the country\'s ongoing economic activities, especially its five-year plan (2010-14), and said the allocation of more than $286 billion under the plan would open the door wide to Arab and other foreign investments. Some of the current major projects include east-west highway, Sahara road and Algiers metro. Attia also referred to the recent announcements of his country\'s president and said they aimed to strengthen the democratic process and political pluralism and freedom of media and promotion of women\'s rights and promotion of local decentralization. He also noted the importance of choosing the city of Tlemcen as capital of Islamic culture for 2011 and mentioned this as recognition for the richness of Arab and Islamic culture of Algeria and its unique and effective role in the prosperity of the Arab-Islamic civilization. Attia mentioned the remarkable growth of Saudi-Algerian relations in various fields, especially in the field of investment, and reviewed the progress his country has made since its liberation 57 years ago. Salim Bashehab, director of consular affairs at the Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Makkah, OIC and IDB officials as well as local businessmen attended the function.