ALGIERS, Sept 1, 2007 (AFP) - Algeria is inviting bids to privatise 13 companies in the electronics, iron, and public works sectors, Algier's industry ministry announced on Saturday.

The operation is run by a consortium led by Spanish investment bank Santander Investment and backed by the European Commission, it said.

The companies on offer are to be either completely or partially sold off.

They include small electronics company ENIEM, car battery company ENPEC and road-building company Sonatro.

PARIS, Aug 26, 2007 (AFP) - We shall shortly move the following economics, business and financial news stories:

US-economy-property-markets,ANALYSIS

WASHINGTON

An increasingly fragile US economy is facing growing risks from the meltdown in the property market, which threatens to spill over into other sectors as credit markets freeze, analysts say.

700 words by by Rob Lever. File picture

Stocks-world

NEW YORK