The central committee of Algeria's ruling party relieved its chief Abdelaziz Belkhadem of his duties on Thursday, in the FLN's biggest internal crisis for a decade, an AFP journalist reported. Members of the National Liberation Front held a vote of confidence, with 160 voting in favour of and 156 against the resignation of the secretary general, with seven spoilt ballot papers. Belkhadem admitted defeat, saying: "I have triumphed because my party has triumphed. I quit with my head held high and hope that whoever succeeds me will do better."