In a rare radio address, dos Santos appealed to all political parties to maintain the peace as the country recovers from the 27-year civil war that ended in 2002.

"This moment represents an unprecedented step towards the normalisation of the political life of the country and will improve the democratic state," said dos Santos, referring to the forthcoming parliamentary elections.

"From now on legislative elections will be held regularly, with periodic renewals every four years in accordance with the constitution."

The official campaign for the elections kicks off on Tuesday with ten parties and four coalitions competing for votes. Each party will be given five minutes of television time each day and 10 minutes on the radio to lure voters.

A total of 5,198 candidates will fight for 220 parliamentary seats in a country that is Africa's biggest oil producer, but where two-thirds of the population live on less than $2 a day.

EXAMPLE

Dos Santos appealed to all political parties to run an election that would serve as an example to the rest of the world, following election violence in Kenya and Zimbabwe.

"I appeal to all citizens and political parties to keep a responsible attitude and to respect the law and order so that the electoral campaign is carried out peacefully," he said.

"Angola can be an example to the African continent and to the world in general on how to hold democratic, free and transparent elections."

Angola's last national election in 1992 was aborted, leading to the resumption of civil war. The conflict between the government and rebels of the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) cost more than a million lives and destroyed the country's infrastructure.

Peace was restored only in 2002 after government troops killed UNITA leader Jonas Savimbi

UNITA remains the main opposition party. Many political observers say it is unlikely to unseat dos Santos's ruling MPLA, which holds 129 seats out of 220. UNITA has 70 seats.

The parliamentary poll will be followed by a presidential election in 2009. Dos Santos, who has ruled the country since 1979, is expected to run.

The European Union has sent 90 observers to oversee the electoral process in Angola and other missions are expected to follow.