Algeria's president has announced on state television that elections will be held on May 10.

President Abdelaziz Bouteflika broke with tradition by making the announcement directly to Algerians instead of convening the electoral college to set the date.

He said the elections would pave the way to rebuilding the Algerian state to one characterised by good governance and social justice.

Mr Bouteflika promised a clean election with surveillance carried out by representatives of the political parties as well as an independent political commission.

International observers will also be allowed to monitor the contests.

The president exhorted the political parties and unions to mobilise the electorate - turnout in the last elections was just 36%.