Algerian Democracy

This Wednesday, Algeria will hold Presidential elections. According to the coverage, they are shaping up to actually be free and fair elections, monitored by international observers. According to the BBC, the U.S. has played a positive role:

"The intervention of the US administration into what some might call the internal affairs of Algeria has been welcomed by some political parties and personalities who say that 'the threatening eye of Washington' may have a positive influence on the fairness of the elections."

The best news is that the military is remaining neutral. Algeria had elections in 1991, but the military took power following victories by the Islamic Salvation Front. So I'm cautiously optimistic that this will work, and that Algeria will soon become the first Arab country with a democratically selected government.

UPDATE: Drapetomaniac in comments points toward Lebanon and Yemen as other examples of democracy. I'm not sure I'm willing to credit Yemen, but the case can definitely be made for Lebanon, especially before the civil war. My mistake.