Minister of Justice Tayeb Louh said Monday that a "strong and independent justice" can thwart the various forms of corruption.

"A strong, independent and honest justice can address the various forms of corruption and other social ills," Louh said in an address before local notables and civil society representatives on the sidelines of a working visit to the province of Tindouf (around 2000-km southwest of Algiers).

The minister's speech was broadcast by videoconference in all courts of justice.

In his address, Louh said "Algerian justice, armed with the Constitution, the Laws of the Republic and a sustained political will, continues the implementation of the law according to the procedures and principles applied in all countries that respect rights and freedoms in a civilized way."

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"Each (of us) must know that nobody is above the law or can violate it," he said, calling for "carrying on the relentless struggle against social ills."

The ministers underlined the importance of the efforts made in the field, considering the dangers of corruption and its scourges harming societies and hampering progress."

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The minister announced the creation of a penal centre devoted to financial cases "as part of the legal system reform."

The centre "will have all the required human and material resources to effectively carry out its mission, namely the fight against crime and corruption."