"This is a positive sign that the government of Algeria is listening to the concerns and responding to the aspirations of its people, and we look forward to additional steps by the government that enable the Algerian people to fully exercise their universal rights, including freedom of expression, association and assembly," he said.

Obama said the United States looked forward to continued cooperation with the Algerian government but would also continue to speak up for "universal freedoms, justice and the dignity of every human being."