Abdelaziz Bouteflika was elected in April 1999 on a promise to restore national harmony and end years of bloodshed. The one-time foreign minister released thousands of Muslim militants from prison and won national backing for a civil concord offering amnesty to armed militants. Hundreds of rebels have taken up the offer but violence has continued. The army under his control continues to draw criticism from human rights campaigners for alleged executions and for failing to prevent massacres.