ALGIERS, February 07, SPA -- The Algerian government onSaturday set April 9 as the date for a presidential electionwhich is likely to extend President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's ruleof the North African OPEC member, Reuters reported. "The President of the Republic signed on Saturday thepresidential decree convening the electorate for Thursday, April9, 2009, with a view to electing the presidency of theRepublic," official news agency APS reported. Bouteflika is widely expected to seek re-election, extendinghis decade-long rule until 2014.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/633396