Algeria on Saturday laid the foundation stone of a refinery in Biskra (425-km south of Algiers) with treatment capacity of 5 million tonnes per year, the state-run news agency said. According to the explanations provided on the construction site, the refinery will produce various intermediate products, including 500,000 tonnes of petrol, 220,000 tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and 169,000 tonnes of kerosene. The DZD220-billion worth project is expected to generate “thousands of jobs, including 600 permanent jobs. Similar projects of refineries are underway in Ghardaia, Tiaret and Hassi Messaoud (Ouargla).