Algeria's President Abdelaziz Bouteflika (R), Minister for Energy and Mines Chakib Khalil (2nd R), Minister for Maghreb and African Affairs Abdelkader Messahel (2nd L) and Minister for Territorial Development and Environment Cherif Rahmani applaud at the presidential palace in Algiers December 31, 2005 after Boutefilka signed the text of the 2006 budget. Boutelfika returned home on Saturday after more than a month in France, where he underwent stomach surgery for an ulcer.