France to declassify files on Algerian war

Opening up of defence files from more than 50 years ago may also shed light on 1968 Air France crash

Emmanuel Macron is to allow access to classified national defence documents from more than 50 years ago, covering France's war in Algeria and other files previously deemed to contain state secrets.

The Elysee said the move, a week after the admission that French troops tortured and killed the Algerian independence activist Ali Boumendjel in 1957, sought to balance historical truth" with legitimate national defence issues".