Algerian writer wins peace prize

Boualem Sansal, a writer from Algeria, was awarded the Peace Prize at the annual German Book Trade 2011 for his struggle for democracy in his homeland. Sansal accepted the US$35 000 prize in Frankfurt yesterday, 16 October 2011. German news agency, dapd reports the author says he hopes the Arab Spring movement will eventually allow Algerians "to finally liberate themselves" and obtain a fully democratic state. German Foreign Minister, Guido Westerwelle congratulated Sansal, saying "may his vision of a free and democratic society in Algeria become true."