Sept 27 (Reuters) - Suicide bombings in regional hotspot Algeria are arousing concern about the long-term stability of north Africa, where economic and political stagnation offers al Qaeda scope to promote unrest on Europe's southern flank.

Following are key facts about Maghreb states.

ALGERIA

* The presidency, occupied by Abdelaziz Bouteflika, 70, has been the most powerful office of state since independence from France in 1962 and Algerians tend to believe parliament exists to rubber stamp its decisions.

*The army exerts wide influence on public affairs. The country has been under a state of emergency since 1992 because of an Islamist rebellion. Street marches are banned.

* Algeria has amassed $80 billion in foreign exchange reserves but the non-energy sector, which provides most jobs, is dominated by overmanned state firms. Unemployment among adults under 30 is more than 70 percent, official figures show.

* Algeria ranks 102nd out of 177 countries in the U.N. Human Development Index, which measures factors like access to health and education. According to Freedom House, a U.S.-based watchdog group, Algeria scores 6 for political liberties and 5 for civil liberties on a scale that has 7 as the most unfree.

LIBYA

* Muammar Gaddafi, in his mid-60s, has ruled since 1969 when he staged a bloodless coup and abolished the monarchy. In the 1970s he proclaimed citizens should rule through Basic People's Congresses which, in theory, hold ultimate power.

* Critics say real power resides in so-called revolutionary committees of loyalists who wield influence in the military, the press and government institutions and enforce obedience to the "state of the masses" system which bans political parties.

* Gaddafi has long voiced support for free market reforms but says Libyans must not confuse economic change with political reform: the ban on the ballot box will not be lifted, he says.

* Libya is 64 on the U.N. index and scores 7 for political liberties and 7 for civil liberties on the Freedom House scale. Unemployment is unofficially estimated at 30 percent.

MOROCCO

* The king wields paramount powers, from religious affairs to foreign and domestic policy and the military command.

* The Makhzen, a network of landowners, tribal and religious leaders and modern bureaucrats and politicians, is the core of the ruling system. Parliament is seen as ineffective.

* King Mohammed, 44, who ascended the throne in 1999, has pushed social reforms while keeping control over the levers of power and the democratic process. Critics say politics is doomed to irrelevance until the palace devolves more power.

* Morocco ranks 123rd in the U.N. Human Development Index, and scores 5 for political liberties and 4 for civil liberties on the Freedom House scale. Unemployment is 10 percent.

TUNISIA

* President Zine Al Abidine Ben Ali, 71, came to power in 1987. He won elections in 1989, 1994, 1999 and 2004.

* Ben Ali is widely credited with ensuring political stability and strong economic growth.

* Critics accuse his presidential republic of riding roughshod over human rights and democratic values. The government strongly denies the allegation.

* Tunisia ranks 87 on the U.N. Human Development Index and scores 6 for political liberties and 5 for civil liberties on the Freedom House scale. Unemployment is 14 percent.

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