The Algerian news agency says the government has invited the human rights group Amnesty International to resume visits to the country after a ban lasting more than three years.

The move follows letters from Amnesty to President Bouteflika, welcoming recent moves by him and seeking permission to send a delegation to update its contacts with the government and other relevant groups.

A spokesman for Amnesty International said they were still awaiting official confirmation of the invitation.

Officials of the group have not visited Algeria since May 1996, when the then government accused it of seeking to destablise the country.