Algeria's Presidential Debate Falls Flat With Voters

The first-ever Algerian presidential debate seems to have failed to persuade the country's pro-democracy protesters to take part in next week's vote.

Algerians watch anti-government demonstrators march in the capital Algiers on Dec. 6. 

Photographer: Ryad Kramdi/AFP via Getty Images

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Algiers, Algeria (AP) -- Algeria's first-ever presidential debate seems to have failed to persuade the country's pro-democracy protesters to take part in next week's election.

The five candidates recited their platforms instead of sparring over ideas in the Friday night debate — and they didn't even look at each other.